US: Obama grants most clemencies in single day

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama on Monday pardoned 78 inmates and shortened the sentences of 153 others, marking the largest single day of clemencies granted by an American president.

White House Counsel Neil Eggleston announced the decisions in an official blog post on the White House website.

"The 231 individuals granted clemency today have all demonstrated that they are ready to make use — or have already made use — of a second chance," he wrote. "While each clemency recipient’s story is unique, the common thread of rehabilitation underlies all of them."

Obama has now granted commutations to 1,176 individuals, including 395 who were imprisoned for life. The 78 pardons raised that total to 148.

Obama will likely grant additional clemency orders before departing office Jan. 20, Eggleston said.

"Today’s acts of clemency — and the mercy the President has shown his 1,324 clemency recipients — exemplify his belief that America is a nation of second chances," he said, repeating calls for Congress to act on criminal justice reform.