• The 153 commutations were granted to non-violent drug offenders

• The president has now commuted the sentences of a total of 1,176 individuals

WASHINGTON, U.S. – President Barack Obama granted 153 commutations and 78 pardons on Monday, the most individual acts of clemency granted in a single day by any president in this nation’s history.

The 153 commutations were granted to nonviolent drug offenders.

The president has now commuted the sentences of a total of 1,176 individuals, including 395 life sentences and he has pardoned 148 individuals.
“Today’s acts of clemency, and the mercy the President has shown his 1,324 clemency recipients, exemplify his belief that America is a nation of second chances,” Neil Eggleston, Obama’s White House Counsel, said in a statement.

The clemency initiative was launched by the president and former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. two years ago to shorten the sentences of drug offenders given what they considered to be unduly harsh sentences.

Eggleston said Obama plans to issue more commutations before he demits office.

“We need the president to pick up the pace of commutations before he leaves office,” said Michael Collins of the Drug Policy Alliance. “He is to be applauded for his actions thus far, but we know that the next occupant of the White House is unsympathetic to the cause of mass incarceration, and to the plight of those serving unjust sentences in federal prison.”

Meanwhile, Brittany K. Byrd, attorney for a prisoner whose sentence was commuted, said Monday. “I am elated at the news about my client, Corey Jacobs, receiving clemency from President Obama today.”

Jacobs, 47, was serving a life term for his first felony conviction on a drug charge.

“Corey has more than paid his debt to society by serving over 17 years of a life-without-parole sentence as a nonviolent drug offender. Life in prison without the possibility of parole screams that a person is beyond hope, beyond redemption. And in Corey’s case, it is a punishment that absolutely did not fit the crime. The president’s mercy and belief in redemption literally saved Corey’s life,” Byrd added.

Ironically, president-elect Trump has named as his attorney general one of the biggest critics of Obama’s use of commutations.

“The president is playing a dangerous game to advance his political ideology,” Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., had said when Obama granted a single-day record 214 commutations in August.

Meanwhile, in an interview aired on Monday, the outgoing president told NPR the country’s demographics have “inevitably” changed.

“If you stopped all immigration today, just by virtue of birth rates, this is going to be a browner country,” Obama said.

“And if we’re not thinking right now about how we make sure that next generation is getting a good education and are instilled with a common creed and the values that make America so special and are cared for and nurtured and loved the way every American child is treated, then we’re not going to be as successful.”

Obama to ‘coach’ young talent

Speaking to NPR’s Steve Inskeep in an interview on the Morning Edition, Obama also said he was keen on rebuilding the Democratic party.

“What I am interested in is just developing a whole new generation of talent,” Obama stated.

“There are such incredible young people who not only worked on my campaign, but I’ve seen in advocacy groups,” Obama said.

“I’ve seen them passionate about issues like climate change, or conservation, criminal justice reform. You know, campaigns to — for a livable wage, or health insurance. And making sure that whatever resources, credibility, spotlight that I can bring to help them rise up. That’s something that I think I can do well, I think Michelle can do well.”

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