Obama Shortens Sentences For 102 Federal Inmates Convicted Of Drug-Related Offenses

President Barack Obama answers questions during a joint news conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, July 22, 2016. Obama says he has worked to ... President Barack Obama answers questions during a joint news conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, July 22, 2016. Obama says he has worked to deepen the U.S. relationship with Mexico and that the two countries are not just strategic and economic partners, "we're also neighbors and we're friends." (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is cutting short the sentences of 102 federal inmates as part of his ongoing push to grant clemency during his final months in office.

The latest round brings to 774 the number of sentences Obama has commuted, including 590 this year. The White House says it’s more than the previous 11 presidents put together.

Almost all of those receiving commutations were convicted of drug-related offenses. Most are considered nonviolent offenders, although some were convicted of firearms charges in connection with drug crimes.

Many of the recipients had been serving life sentences.

But Obama isn’t setting them all free right away. Many of those receiving commutations will see their sentences end in October 2018, almost two years into the next president’s term.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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