Whether you’re a supporter or an opponent, one must concede President Barack Obama continues to make historical milestones. After pushing for the non-lucid, controversial free trade agreement Trans- Pacific Partnership, the president is redirecting focus on overhauling the criminal justice system. On July 16, President Obama will be the first sitting U.S. President to visit a federal prison and spread his message.
“The president will outline the unfairness in much of our criminal justice system, highlight bipartisan ideas for reform and lay out his ideas to make our country fairer, smarter and more cost effective while keeping the American people safe and secure,” says White House press secretary Josh Earnest said during Friday’s news briefing.
President Obama will visit El Reno, a medium security prison in El Reno, Oklahoma.
Obama’s trip to the prison will be recorded for a “Vice” documentary on America’s prison system that will air on HBO. The president will speak with Vice founder Shane Smith and meet with prisoners, prison staff and law enforcement officials.
President Obama To Become First President To Visit A Federal Prison; Pushing Prison Reform
The president’s prison visit will come two days after he delivers a speech to the NAACP’s national conference in Philadelphia. He is expected to call for lower sentences for non-violent offenders as he’s a leader in this campaign against inequitable prison sentencing for non-violent crimes. By the same token, many republicans and democrats have similar outcries that are reverberating around the country.
“While there, the president will outline the unfairness in much of our criminal justice system, highlight bipartisan ideas for reform, and lay out his own ideas to make our justice system fairer, smarter, and more cost-effective while keeping the American people safe and secure,” Earnest said.
Back in March 2015, in the most aggressive use of executive power on prison reform, Obama commuted the sentences of 22 drug offenders. So, he’s actions and words corroborate his seriousness on the prisoner’s plight. As the president continues to push against current adverse conditions, it’s said he will be commuting dozens of sentences possibly next week.
And, although it’s unclear if Obama is formally endorsing this proposal, White House officials also expressed an openness Friday to restoring voting rights to felons who have served their time.
These are steps in the right direction for rectifying legislation, which has damaged our American communities for decades.
SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST
