President Obama’s signing of a two-year budget deal has been at the forefront of the news today, but he’s since turned his laser-like focus back to criminal justice reform. Earlier today, he sat down for an interview with NBC News that will air tonight, and this afternoon he delivered a speech at Rutgers University to explain why more than 6,000 inmates are being released over the next several days.
Just sat down with Pres. Obama to discuss criminal justice reform. The interview tonight on @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/pN9ONSzdHG
— Lester Holt (@LesterHoltNBC) November 2, 2015
@LesterHoltNBC @WhiteHouse @NBCNightlyNews didn't ask what his weaknesses are did you?
— Steve (@MIclimber) November 2, 2015
Would you believe that was the very first question?
Everyone who earns a second chance, deserves a second chance. Check out what @POTUS is announcing today: https://t.co/tockEdmURT
— Valerie Jarrett (@vj44) November 2, 2015
@vj44 great, give them a second chance in YOUR neighborhood! @POTUS
— angry libertarian NPC (@mattatat138) November 2, 2015
The White House has been tweeting slides to accompany the president’s speech. It’s clear that the president isn’t happy with the racial makeup up the nation’s prison population (not diverse enough), and that most nonviolent offenders shouldn’t be in prison. For what it’s worth, “nonviolent offenders” seems to designate those convicted of drug-related crimes.
"Right now, there are 2.2 million Americans behind bars. They’re disproportionately black and Latino." —@POTUS pic.twitter.com/mwHJf6iPsp
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) November 2, 2015
@WhiteHouse @MichaelSkolnik @POTUS non-violent offenders are folks that burglarize your home, steal your car & deal drugs.
— EdAsante (@EdAsante77) November 2, 2015
@WhiteHouse @POTUS non-violent or not: do the crime, do the time.
— Jason Spicer (@JasonSpicer81) November 2, 2015
Or not. The problem then is how to reintroduce these nonviolent offenders back into society, and of course that will take a helping hand from the government.
"We need to make sure that Americans who have paid their debt to society can earn their second chance." —@POTUS: https://t.co/9slXM8YtoE
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) November 2, 2015
"I’m taking action to 'ban the box' for most competitive jobs at federal agencies." —@POTUS: https://t.co/nhVGzYFX2H #CriminalJusticeReform
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) November 2, 2015
“Banning the box” means not asking a prospective federal employee or contractor if he or she has been convicted of a crime “until later in the hiring process.” Other efforts at helping nonviolent offenders include millions in grants from the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Justice and more to provide basic education, technology-based career training, and permanent supportive housing.
@WhiteHouse @POTUS That"s all America needs…more crooks in the government. #nothanks
— Texas Beer Infidel (@MRVvoort) November 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/White_House_PR/status/661294011035099136
https://twitter.com/WatsjW/status/661297987675693057
It shouldn’t have to be said, but New York City Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton suggested its important to pay attention to who is let out of prison thanks to this new initiative.
Bill Bratton on a federal program to release convicts early: "We have to be concerned about who we’re letting out” https://t.co/dRgkybVkkK
— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) November 1, 2015
Again, while many think of nonviolent criminals as people incarcerated on minor drug charges, Bratton adds some much-needed perspective. He noted in particular Tyrone Howard, accused of fatally shooting Officer Randolph Holder in the face last month.
“This individual had 28 arrests — that’s 28 times we caught him committing the crime, let alone all the crimes that he probably committed in between us catching him,” Bratton told radio host John Catsimatidis. “Some people are criminals. This guy had been given more chances to deal with his drug addiction problem — he failed every time … Some people are bad people. And we need to separate the bad people from the good people.”
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