But CNN sources say big sticking points are in the way right now of a compromise. In the world lead, negotiators now on the brink of a deal with Iran. Jim Acosta for us at the White House, thanks so much. The White House says they are taking what they're calling unique steps to make sure the president is safe - John.īERMAN: As you said, Jim, that will be historic. That's where he will again take on this topic of criminal justice reform, and, John, he will actually meet some of the inmates there at the prison. Later this week, he will travel to Oklahoma, where, get this, he will become the first president to visit a federal prison. I doubt the president is going to get to each one of them before he leaves office.ĪCOSTA: Now, tomorrow, the president will continue speaking out on criminal justice reform before the NAACP in Philadelphia. These 46 people are lucky, but there are literally over 2,000 people in federal prison serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses. JULIE STEWART, FAMILIES AGAINST MANDATORY MINIMUMS: This is such a tip of the iceberg. However, I am for a much more humane response to this, and giving people a second chance.ĪCOSTA: The president is well ahead of his predecessors in commuting sentences, though he's still way behind on presidential pardons. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: I think there still is a problem, and you shouldn't be using illegal drugs. And we have seen some really interesting leadership from some unlikely Republican legislators.ĪCOSTA: GOP lawmakers like Senator and presidential candidate Rand Paul. OBAMA: I am really interested in the possibilities, the prospect of a bipartisan legislation around the criminal justice system. We're just using the president's power right now at his direction to try and do what we can at the present time to alleviate what we think is a situation that needs to be changed.ĪCOSTA: The president cited the issue as a top priority for his remaining time in office. ATTORNEY GENERAL: We still think there's a need for Congress to act. It's the biggest move yet in the administration's push for criminal justice reform. All of the inmates are drug offenders, many dealt sentences longer than what they would have received under today's guidelines. The White House says the president has now commuted the most prison sentences since LBJ. Now it's up to you to make the most of this opportunity." In one such message to inmate Jerry Allen Bailey (ph) at a federal prison in Georgia, the president wrote: "I'm granting your application because you have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around. I also believe there's a lot more we can do to restore the sense of fairness at the heart of our justice system.ĪCOSTA: The president sent each of the prisoners a letter informing them of their commutation. And I believe these folks deserve their second chance. He got the conversation going today by issuing the order to effectively free dozens of prison inmates who the White House says are behind bars for nonviolent drug offenses.ĪCOSTA (voice-over): With the stroke of a pen, President Obama cut short the prison sentences for 46 federal inmates across the country, making the case that their harsh punishments never fit their crimes.īARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I believe that, at its heart, America is a nation of second chances. JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John.Īll week long, President Obama will be trying to jump-start this debate over criminal justice reform. Jim, this is a big day, not just for these 46 people who will get out of prison much more quickly than they had ever imagined, but it's big because it signifies what the president is going to focus on or one of the key things he will focus on the rest of his presidency. Let's get to the White House and Jim Acosta. On November 10, 2015, 46 people will get a second chance, Douglas Lindsay, Talisha Watkins (ph), the two of them and 44 more convicts are having their prison sentences commuted, because President Obama says they would have already finished serving their time had they been convicted of the same nonviolent drug offenses today. I'm John Berman, in for Jake Tapper today. JOHN BERMAN, CNN GUEST HOST: Welcome back to THE LEAD. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. Iranian Delegation Indicates No Deal Today Killer Drug Lord Escapes Prison Through Tunnel Trump Campaign Contacts FBI Over Allege "El Chapo" Tweets.
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