A Look at Obama's Visit to El Reno Prison in Call for Justice System Reform

POTUS wants second life chances for non-violent criminals.

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Non-Violent Offenders Are Usually a Product of Environment - On Monday, Obama announced that he would be reducing the sentences for 46 non-violent offenders whose convictions were drug-related. Fourteen of these individuals were serving life in prison. "When we look at non-violent offenders, most of them are growing up in environments in which drug traffic is common; where many of their family members may have been involved in the drug trade," he explained. (Photo:AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Giving Felons Another Chance - Obama also wants to give voting rights back to felons who have completed their sentences. The president also aims to get rid of the box on job applications that ask people about their criminal histories. During his visit, Obama met with six inmates at El Reno who were serving time for drug offenses and who he said "expressed some fear about how difficult the transition was going to be" leaving prison and going back into the real world.  (Photo:AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Improving Prison Conditions - Obama also addressed the conditions of prisons, such as the size of cells. He mentioned gang activity and sexual assault as issues that also need solutions. He gave assurances that reform would begin on the federal level, but emphasized that state governments would also have to lead the charge for changes in the criminal system.  (Photo:AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Non-Violent Offenders Are Usually a Product of Environment - On Monday, Obama announced that he would be reducing the sentences for 46 non-violent offenders whose convictions were drug-related. Fourteen of these individuals were serving life in prison. "When we look at non-violent offenders, most of them are growing up in environments in which drug traffic is common; where many of their family members may have been involved in the drug trade," he explained. (Photo:AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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