President Obama commuted the sentences of 58 inmates Thursday as part of his ongoing initiative to release federal prisoners who have received severe mandatory sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.
With this latest round of commutations, Obama has granted clemency to 306 inmates, with 110 serving life sentences.
Obama, who has granted more clemencies than the previous six presidents combined, has said he will continue his efforts during his final months in office for inmates who meet certain criteria set out by the Justice Department.
Of those affected Thursday, 18 had been sentenced to life without parole. One was Fulton “Wash” Washington, of Compton, California, who was convicted on PCP charges. At sentencing, the judge lamented that harsh mandatory minimum sentences were not meant for offenders like Washington, but he had no choice. His daughter, who is 31, was 10 years old when Washington was sent to prison for the rest of his life.
“I was able to tell both Wash and his daughter today that he is coming home,” said attorney James E. Felman. “His daughter just broke down and started screaming and crying with hysteria. It’s just unbelievable. I’m still in tears.”
In a posting on medium.com, Obama said he has been inspired by the stories of the inmates who already have received clemency, several of whom he met with last month.
“Each of their stories was extraordinary,” Obama wrote.
He urged Congress to pass sentencing reform legislation.
“Only Congress can bring about the lasting changes we need to federal sentencing,” Obama wrote.
Since the Obama administration launched its high-profile clemency initiative two years ago, thousands of more inmates have applied. More than 9,000 petitions are still pending.
(c) 2016, The Washington Post ยท Sari Horwitz
