Keeping 2.2 million Americans in prison is hurting the economy, President Obama said Saturday in his weekly address, describing a report that outlines those arguments.
The move is part of a federal effort to rally support for an effort by the Obama Administration to reduce the number of people in prison and to help them once they are released. The administration will announce the steps next week during what has been dubbed “National Reentry Week,” from April 24-28.
“This isn’t just about what makes economic and practical sense. It’s about making sure that we live up to our ideals as a nation,” Obama said.
Among the new programs being rolled out, the Obama administration said one will include a plan to help individuals with criminal records compete for federal jobs. The White House said it will also double down on its call for businesses to show favor to the 600,000 people released from prison every year.
The executive effort comes amidst a stalled legislative attempt to reform federal criminal justice laws. The Senate reform bill, which debuted last fall and was passed by the Judiciary Committee, has reached a standstill in the upper chamber after Republicans balked. Members have become increasingly focused on 2017 appropriations and re-election efforts.
The president, whose actions come nine months before he is succeeded, said the Senate bill ought to be the next step in reforming the criminal justice system.
“Now, plenty of people should be behind bars. But the reason we have so many more people in prison than any other developed country is not because we have more criminals. It’s because we have criminal justice policies, including unfair sentencing laws, that need to be reformed,” Obama said.
