President Obama speaks to members of the press in the Oval Office before signing a Memorandum of Disapproval regarding a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures Tuesday. (Photo: Win McNamee) 
 
 Correction: This story, originally published March 31, has been updated to correct the number of commutations President Obama has denied while in office. That number is 7,378. 
 
 WASHINGTON — President Obama commuted the sentences of 22 convicted federal prisoners Tuesday, shortening their sentences for drug-related crimes. 
 
 Eight of the prisoners who will have their sentences reduced were serving life sentences. All but one of the 22 will be released on July 28. 
 
 The White House said Obama made the move in order to grant to older prisoners the same leniency that would be given to people convicted of the same crimes today. 
 
 "Had they been sentenced under current laws and policies, many of these individuals would have already served their time and paid their debt to society," White House Counsel Neil Eggleston said in a statement. "Because many were convicted under an outdated sentencing regime, they served years—in some cases more than a decade—longer than individuals convicted today of the same crime." 
 
 In issuing the commutations Tuesday, Obama has more than doubled the number he's granted in his presidency. Before Tuesday, he had issued just 21 and denied 7,378 commutations in his more than six years. It was the most commutations issued by a president in a single day since President Clinton issued 150 pardons and 40 commutations on his last day in office. 
 
 And it could represent the crest of a new wave of commutations that could come in Obama's last two years in office. Last year, the Justice Department announced a new clemency initiative to try to encourage more low-level drug offenders to apply to have their sentences reduced. That resulted in a record 6,561 applications in the last fiscal year, at least two of which were granted commutations Tuesday, according to the Justice Department. 
 
 Obama has been increasingly vocal about his intent to use his constitutional clemency powers more aggressively in his last two years as president. The constitution gives the president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States," which includes the power to shorten sentences for those convicted of federal crimes. 
 
 "One of the extraordinary powers that a president has is the power to commute sentences or to pardon somebody who's already been sentenced," Obama said in South Carolina in early March. 
 
 "A lot of what we're focused on is non-violent drug offenses where somebody might have gotten 25 years, and she was the girlfriend of somebody and somehow got caught up, and since then has led an exemplary life, but now really wants to be able to start a new career or something like that," Obama said. "That's the kind of person, typically, that would get through the process." 
 
 Take the case of Tracy Lynn Petty, a 46-year-old North Carolina woman convicted of cocaine possession in 2006. 
 
 "I have done 10 years and four months. I am so sorry and have had time to think about all my actions in life," she wrote in a handwritten letter placed in her court file in February. She said she's taken landscape management classes in prison, and has been allowed outside the gates to work on the prison grounds for eight years. 
 
 She was due to be released from a federal prison in Tallahassee in 2019. Obama's action shortened her sentence by one day shy of four years. 
 
 Obama wrote each of the 22 Tuesday, saying they had demonstrated the potential to turn their lives around. 
 
 "Now it is up to you to make the most of this opportunity. It will not be easy, and you will encounter many who doubt people with criminal records can change," Obama wrote. "I believe in your ability to prove the doubters wrong." 
 
 Of the 22 commutations granted Tuesday, 17 were for possession or trafficking in cocaine. The others were for methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. One was also convicted of a gun charge in addition to cocaine possession. Their convictions cover a 14-year span from 1992 to 2006. 
 
 The move was applauded by groups seeking to reform the mandatory minimum sentencing laws that led to many of the lengthy sentences. 
 
 "We are thrilled that President Obama is making good on his promise to use the powers granted him by the Constitution to provide relief for federal prisoners serving excessively long mandatory minimum sentences," said Julie Stewart, president and founder of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. "We hope and expect to see more commutations granted through the end of his term." 
 
 Follow @gregorykorte on Twitter. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1CtEiHE ||||| AP Photo President Obama commutes 22 drug sentences 
 
 President Barack Obama cut short the prison sentences of 22 drug convicts Tuesday, fueling a drive he launched more than a year ago to allow early release of some prisoners sentenced under harsh laws enacted at the height of the war on drugs. 
 
 For the first time, Obama’s commutations included two petitions put forward by Clemency Project 2014, an effort launched by several private organizations and federal public defenders to provide attorneys for prisoners seeking to file applications for the president’s effort to reduce drug sentences. Two others on the list already had petitions on file but later got help from the project, an official said. 
 
 Story Continued Below 
 
 POLITICO reported in January that Obama’s commutation effort was still struggling to take off, stymied by a lack of resources at the Justice Department office that processes clemency applications and by a flood of requests for counsel that swamped the legal service project set up by the American Civil Liberties Union, Families Against Mandatory Minimums and others. 
 
 The White House said Obama sent letters to the 22 inmates granted commutations Tuesday, wishing them luck and reminding them that their actions out of prison may effect whether other prisoners get similar chances at clemency in the future. 
 
 “It is up to you to make the most of this opportunity,” Obama wrote to Terry Andre Barnes, who was sentenced in 2005 to 20 years and six months in prison on charges of distributing crack cocaine. “It will not be easy, and you will confront many who doubt that people with criminal records can change. … You will also influence, through your example, the possibility that others in similar circumstances get their own second chance in the future.” 
 
 The 22 commutations announced Tuesday come atop 21 earlier commutations issued by Obama. While recent numbers remain modest, they far outstrip the one commutation he issued in his first term. 
 
 “We are thrilled and look forward to many more!” Clemency Project 2014’s Cynthia Rosebery said. “It is my fervent hope that what we have seen today is only the beginning and that the administration will make the exercise of its clemency power ever more robust.” 
 
 The vast majority of those on the latest commutation list were cocaine or crack offenders. One case involved methamphetamine and another marijuana. 
 
 Most recipients appeared to fit some of the Justice Department criteria laid out last year for Obama’s commutation drive, but one has not yet served the 10 years in prison listed as a prerequisite for a commutation through the new effort. Another appeared to have a felony record before committing the crack dealing offense that sent him to prison. 
 
 The criteria are not binding. A president’s authority to issue commutations, pardons and other forms of clemency is set forth in the Constitution and has virtually no restrictions. 
 
 All but one of the prisoners had their sentences commuted to end in July. The three-month delay usually allows transition to a halfway house, as well as advance efforts to find homes and jobs for those granted a commutation. 
 
 One prisoner, Derrick DeWayne Johnson, was serving a 30-year sentence imposed in 1998 for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. His sentence was cut by Obama to 21 years, 10 months. 
 
 White House Counsel Neil Eggleston called clemency a “last resort” in most cases, and he urged Congress to pass sentencing reform legislation that would address the issue more broadly. But he said Obama plans to issue more commutations in cases he deems suitable. 
 
 “The President will continue to use his clemency authority in certain instances where justice, fairness, and proportionality demand it, and to give eligible and worthy individuals who have paid their debt to society a chance to contribute in meaningful ways,” Eggleston wrote on the White House blog Tuesday. 
 
 Of the 43 commutations Obama has issued, 40 have gone to drug offenders, while three went to individuals convicted in connection with a Cuban spy ring. Those three prisoners were deported to Cuba as part of the Obama administration’s effort to improve relations with Cuba’s government. ||||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama granted commutations of sentence to the following 22 individuals: 
 
 • Terry Andre Barnes – East Moline, IL 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; supervised release violation (distribution of cocaine base) (Southern District of Iowa) 
 
 Sentence: 246 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (July 25, 2005) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Theresa Brown – Pompano Beach, FL 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine (Southern District of Florida) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Mar. 29, 1995) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Donel Marcus Clark – Dallas, TX 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy; use of a communication facility (five counts); distribution and/or possession of cocaine or manufacturing in or near a school facility, aiding and abetting (Northern District of Texas) 
 
 Sentence: 420 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (Nov. 12, 1993); amended to 360 months’ imprisonment (August 20, 2008) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Ricky Bernard Coggins – Tallahassee, FL 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Florida) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 3, 1993) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Samuel Pasqual Edmondson – Junction City, KS 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Eastern District of Texas) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Sep. 24, 1997) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Amado Garcia – Fresno, CA 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; aiding and abetting the possession of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting the possession of heroin (District of Wyoming) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release; $2,000 fine (Nov. 29, 2001) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Dwight Anthony Goddard – Decatur, GA 
 
 Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Middle District of Georgia) 
 
 Sentence: 235 months’ imprisonment; five years’ supervised release (Feb. 7, 2002) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Lionel Ray Hairston – Ridgeway, VA 
 
 Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (three counts) (Western District of Virginia) 
 
 Sentence: 262 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (May 27, 1999) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Francis Darrell Hayden – Loretto, KY 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants or 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana; manufacture of 1,000 or more marijuana plants (Eastern District of Michigan) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Apr. 2, 2002) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Harold Kenneth Herring – Havana, FL 
 
 Offense: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Florida) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 22, 1998) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Tommie Lee Hollingshed – Memphis, TN 
 
 Offense: Distribution of a controlled substance (two counts) (Western District of Tennessee) 
 
 Sentence: 324 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (May 1, 1996) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Derrick DeWayne Johnson – Birmingham, AL 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (Northern District of Alabama) 
 
 Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; four years’ supervised release (Nov. 18, 1998) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months. 
 
 • Robert Martinez-Gil – San Antonio, TX 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin (Western District of Texas) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment (July 9, 1992) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • David Navejar – Brooksville, FL 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Middle District of Florida) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 27, 2003) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Rudolph Norris – Washington, D.C. 
 
 Offense: Unlawful distribution of cocaine base; unlawful possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (District of Columbia) 
 
 Sentence: 360 months’ imprisonment; eight years’ supervised release (Apr. 5, 1993) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Tracy Lynn Petty – Shelby, NC 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Mar. 30, 2006); amended to 204 months’ imprisonment (February 25, 2008) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Luis Razo – Davenport, IA 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine (Southern District of Iowa) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 3, 2003) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Antwon Rogers – Cleveland, OH 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 139.8 grams of cocaine base (Northern District of Ohio) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Jan. 30, 1995) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Herman Rosenboro –Kingsport, TN 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and over 50 grams of cocaine base; distribution of a quantity of cocaine base (two counts); distribution of a quantity of cocaine (two counts) (Eastern District of Tennessee) 
 
 Sentence: Life imprisonment; six years’ supervised release (Dec. 3, 2001) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Lawrence Elmo Scott – Lynchburg, VA 
 
 Offense: Distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school (Western District of Virginia) 
 
 Sentence: 283 months’ imprisonment; six years’ supervised release; $4,000 fine (Apr. 8, 2003) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Levar V. Wade – Chicago, IL 
 
 Offense: Possession of 50 or more grams of crack cocaine with intent to distribute (Central District of Illinois) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (May 28, 2004) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. 
 
 • Eugene Winters – Cedar Rapids, IA 
 
 Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (Southern District of Iowa) 
 
 Sentence: 240 months’ imprisonment; 10 years’ supervised release (Feb. 23, 2005) 
 
 Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 28, 2015. ||||| Building on his commitment to address instances of unfairness in sentencing, President Obama granted 22 commutations today to individuals serving time in federal prison. Had they been sentenced under current laws and policies, many of these individuals would have already served their time and paid their debt to society. Because many were convicted under an outdated sentencing regime, they served years — in some cases more than a decade — longer than individuals convicted today of the same crime. 
 
 In total, the 22 commutations granted today underscore the President’s commitment to using all the tools at his disposal to bring greater fairness and equity to our justice system. Further, they demonstrate how exercising this important authority can remedy imbalances and rectify errors in sentencing. Added to his prior 21 commutations, the President has now granted 43 commutations total. To put President Obama’s actions in context, President George W. Bush commuted 11 sentences in his eight years in office. 
 
 To further this progress, the President has established a clemency initiative to encourage individuals who were sentenced under outdated laws and policies to petition for commutation. At his direction, significant reforms have followed, such as the promulgation of new criteria for potential commutation candidates to meet, including those who pose no threat to public safety, have a clean record in prison, and have been sentenced under out-of-date laws. In addition, the Department of Justice has raised awareness about how to petition for commutation to ensure that every federal inmate who believes they are deserving of this invaluable second chance has the opportunity to ask for it. 
 
 Underscoring the responsibility that a commutation brings, the President penned a letter to each of the 22 individuals receiving clemency today, recognizing their potential to overcome the mistakes they made and encouraging them to make good choices moving forward. 
 
 While today’s announcement represents important progress, there’s more work ahead. The Administration will continue to work to review thoroughly all petitions for clemency. And, while commutation is an important tool for those seeking justice and fairness in our penal system, it is nearly always an option of last resort, coming after a lengthy court process and many years behind bars. That is why President Obama is committed to working with Democrats and Republicans on sensible reforms to our criminal justice system that aim to give judges more discretion over mandatory minimum sentencing. As the Department of Justice has noted, mandatory minimum sentences have at times resulted in harsher penalties for non-violent drug offenders than many violent offenders and are not necessary for prosecutions at this level. 
 
 Already, one significant reform has become law. In 2010, the President signed the Fair Sentencing Act, which reduced the disparity in the amounts of powder cocaine and crack cocaine required for the imposition of mandatory minimum penalties. The President is encouraged by the bipartisan support for improving our criminal justice system, including promising legislation that would implement front-end changes in sentencing. In addition, he supports bipartisan efforts to provide back-end support through better education and job training for those currently incarcerated and to reform of our juvenile justice system to build on the significant reductions in the number of youth being held in secure facilities. 
 
 Ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system will require ongoing efforts to invest in the types of programs that help prevent individuals from turning to crime, like education and jobs, as well as changes to our sentencing laws to ensure that the punishment really does fit the crime. As we work to make those improvements, the President will continue to use his clemency authority in certain instances where justice, fairness, and proportionality demand it, and to give eligible and worthy individuals who have paid their debt to society a chance to contribute in meaningful ways.
– A bold move from the president dubbed "one of the least merciful" in US history: President Obama commuted the sentences of 22 drug offenders yesterday, more than doubling the number of commutations he has issued during his presidency, reports USA Today, which notes that it was the biggest single-day commutation since Bill Clinton commuted 40 sentences and pardoned 150 other offenders on his final day in office. All but two of the sentences commuted were for cocaine offenses, and Politico reports that all but one of the sentences were shortened to end in July, allowing a few months for transition in halfway houses. The White House has released a list of the offenders and their sentences. On the White House blog, Counsel to the President Neil Eggleston says many of the drug offenders were "convicted under an outdated sentencing regime" and have already served longer than people convicted of the same crime today would. The White House also released a letter from Obama to Terry Andre Barnes, who was sentenced in 2005 to 20 years and six months for distributing crack cocaine. "You have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around," Obama writes, telling Barnes it may be tough, but he has the capacity to make good choices, and his example will influence "the possibility that others in similar circumstances get their own second chance in the future." "I believe in your ability to prove the doubters wrong," he writes. "So good luck, and Godspeed."