President Obama Commutes Sentences for 214 Federal Prisoners
President Barack Obama granted clemency for 214 federal inmates on Wednesday, the White House announced. Obama has now granted more commutations than the previous nine presidents, with 562 inmates released during his tenure. Wednesday's release was the largest grant in a single day since at least 1900, according to the White House. Many of those released are non-violent drug offenders, for whom Obama has directed the Department of Justice to prioritize petitions for commutations, according to the White House. Some 197 of those individuals released during Obama's time in office were serving life sentences. Though granted clemency by the president, commutation is not a "get out of jail free" card, as many will serve more time after having their sentences commuted to current sentencing guidelines, while others will begin to process out of federal custody. Obama made history last July when he became the first sitting president to visit a federal penitentiary.