President Obama commuted the sentences of 330 more individuals Thursday, bringing the total commutations during his tenure to a record-setting 1,715, the White House announced.
“The vast majority of these men and women are serving unduly long sentences for drug crimes,” the White House said, noting that 568 of those commuted “had been sentenced to life in prison.”
The move makes history, with Obama receiving the distinction of having granted more commutations than any president in the nation’s history.
The White House said he has also surpassed “the number of commutations granted by the past 13 presidents combined.”
An additional 212 criminals received pardons during Obama’s presidency.
White House counsel Neil Eggleston delivered a message to those who won clemency: “You have been granted a second chance because the President sees the potential in you.”
He added, “Make the President proud with how you use your second chance.”