This forum held July 25 from 11:30 am to 2 pm at George Washington University Law School will explore clemency for drug offenses, focusing on its pros and cons during the Bush, Clinton and Obama presidencies; how it is being handled during the Trump presidency and concrete ways it can be enhanced today and beyond.

Lunch & Press Reception with Q & A featuring Alice Johnson, life without parole sentence for drug conspiracy commuted by President Trump. Facilitator, MiAngel Cody, Executive Director, The Decarceration Collective with panelists and other special guests.

Panels Moderated by Nkechi Taifa, Convener Justice Roundtable Coalition:

What it Was

Roy Austin, former White House Domestic Policy Council

Rachel Barkow, Commissioner U.S. Sentencing Commission

Jason Hernandez, sentence commutation by President Obama

Amy Povah, Director CAN-DO Foundation & Clinton era commutee

What it Is

Mark Holden, General Counsel, Koch Industries

Van Jones, political commentator, host of The Van Jones Show

Brittany Barnett, founder Buried Alive Project, Attorney for Alice Johnson

What it Can Be

Mark Osler, Professor & Distinguished Chair, Univ. of St. Thomas Law School

Paul Larkin, Senior Fellow, Meese Center, Heritage Foundation

Ebony Underwood, founder, We Got Us Now

Andrea James, Executive Director, National Council Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls