The Sentencing Project's Executive Director Marc Mauer appeared on MSNBC to talk criminal justice reform with USC Law Professor Jody Armour on News Nation. In this segment, they discuss how excessively long sentences do not take into account human capacity for change, the stark racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and rising bi-partisan support for reform measures across the country.

Today, The Sentencing Project joined dozens of criminal justice, civil and human rights, and faith leaders in urging Congress to act to reduce unsustainable federal prison populations and racial disparities in criminal justice system. 

As the House Oversight & Government Reform committee began a two-day examination of the criminal justice system, The Sentencing Project called on Congress to take meaningful steps -- including reducing mandatory drug sentences and promoting recidivism reduction and reentry programming -- to help establish a justice system that is both fair and consistent with public safety.

Yesterday, President Obama commuted the sentences of 46 individuals serving time for drug offenses, doubling the number of clemencies he has granted as part of his administration’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system.

Alabama:

Texas:

Efforts to reinstate federal ban in other states: Pennsylvana, Missouri, and Maine

Other news: Alaska, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Virginia

In recent months there has been legislative reform to modify the federal food stamp ban in states like Alabama and Texas. In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) imposed a lifetime denial of federal benefits for cash and food assistance to people convicted in state or federal courts of felony drug offenses; the ban is imposed for no other offenses but drug crimes. States can opt out of the federal ban or modify it by authorizing legislative reform. States that have not authorized a legislative remedy include Alaska, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming. During 2014, Missouri modified the federal ban and California opted out of the full ban.

Virginia: Governor removes modern day "poll tax" 

National: Hillary Clinton calls for sweeping voting rights reforms

Voter turnout among people with felony convictions