THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE IN ADVANCING CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Barack Obama, President of the United States

© 2017 by The Harvard Law Review Association

This document is a U.S. government work and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

Presidencies can exert substantial influence over the direction of the U.S. criminal justice system. Those privileged to serve as President and in senior roles in the executive branch have an obligation to use that influence to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the justice system at all phases. How we treat citizens who make mistakes (even serious mistakes), pay their debt to society, and deserve a second chance reflects who we are as a people and reveals a lot about our character and commitment to our founding principles. And how we police our communities and the kinds of problems we ask our criminal justice system to solve can have a profound impact on the extent of trust in law enforcement and significant implications for public safety.