ADVERTISEMENT

US president commutes 1,023 sentences

Obama had commuted the sentences of more individuals in one year than in any other single year in U.S. history.

US President Barack Obama spoke to both the American people and the world as he gave his final foreign press conference in Lima, Peru

The figure is more than the past 11 presidents combined had done, the White House said on Tuesday.

The White House, in a statement, said Obama had commuted the sentences of more individuals in one year than in any other single year in U.S. history.

The implication is that Obama has commuted more sentences than the combined commutations by U.S. presidents from Harry Truman in 1945 to George W. Bush in 2008.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our nation faces a cycle of poverty, criminality and incarceration that traps too many Americans and weakens too many communities.

“Since taking office, President Obama has fought for a smarter and more equitable criminal justice system.

“He has been committed to using all the tools at his disposal to remedy the unfairness at the heart of the system—including the presidential power to grant clemency.

“The president has now commuted the sentences of 1,023 men and women incarcerated under outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws, including 342 individuals who were serving life sentences.”

The statement said the majority of the prison inmates were offenders sentenced for non violent drug crimes.

ADVERTISEMENT

“To date, the president has granted commutations to more prisoners than the past 11 presidents combined.

“He has also granted 70 pardons and is committed to continuing to exercise the clemency power with additional grants of commutations and pardons throughout the remainder of his presidency.

“At the same time, President Obama knows that clemency alone cannot fix decades of overly punitive sentencing policies or make our criminal justice system more fair and more just on the whole.

“That’s why his administration has worked to enhance fairness and efficiency at all phases of the criminal justice system,” the White House statement read.

Tuesday’s commutation involved 58 prisoners, including 17 who were serving life terms for drug offences.

ADVERTISEMENT

The White House quoted Obama as saying: “The power to grant pardons and commutations… embodies the basic belief in our democracy that people deserve a second chance after having made a mistake in their lives that led to a conviction under our laws.”

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT