HOLD THEIR PAST CRIMES AGAINST 
THEM.
>> IT'S AN IMAGE OF A PRESIDENT 
THAT'S REGARDLY SEEN, VISITING A
HALFWAY HOUSE IN NEW JERSEY, 
SHINE A LIGHT ON PROGRAM -- 
>> PART OF OUR GOAL HERE TODAY 
IS TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS WORKING.
>> IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF HIS 
TIME IN OFFICE, HE'S MAKING 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM A TOP 
PRIORITY.
>> THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF 
GOD. 
>> AND IT'S PERSONAL.
EARLIER THIS YEAR AT A FEDERAL 
PRCHBLGS MR. OBAMA CANDIDLY 
ADMITTED HE COULD HAVE ENDED UP 
BEHIND BARS AFTER USING DRUGS IN
HIS YOUTH. 
>> THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO 
MADE MISTAKES THAT AREN'T THAT 
DIFFERENT THAN THE MISTAKES I 
MADE. 
>> Reporter: NOW THE PRESIDENT 
WANTS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR 
EX-INMATES.
HE'S CALLING ON CONGRESS TO BAN 
THE BOX IN FEDERAL HIRING, AS IN
ELIMINATE THAT JOB, THAT ASKS 
ABOUT CRIMINAL RECORDS, 
ENCOURAGING EMPLOYERS TO SEEK 
THAT INFORMATION LATER ON.
FORMER PRISONER SAMUEL HAMILTON 
SAYS THE BOX IS A BARRIER TO A 
BETTER LIFE. 
>> IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE, AND 
INDIVIDUALS WHO I KNOW THAT YOU 
FIND YOURSELF NOT GETTING THE 
JOB JUST BECAUSE OF YOUR 
CRIMINAL HISTORY. 
>> THAT CHANGE COULD BE CRUCIAL 
TO THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL 
PRISONERS JUST RELEASED OVER THE
WEEKEND AFTER MANY -- 
>> WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT 
AMERICANS WHO PAID THEIR DEBT TO
SOCIETY CAN EARN THEIR SECOND 
CHANCE. 
>> Reporter: BUT SOME TOP LAW 
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WARN THAT 
QUICK FEEL-GOOD PRISON RELEASES 
TO BACKFIRE. 
>> SOMEBODY THAT IS IN JAIL THAT
SEEMS THEY'RE NONVIOLENT DRUG 
OFFENDER MAY IN FACT HAVE CRIMES
OF VIOLENCE IN THEIR RECORD.
SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY CONCERNED 
ABOUT WHO WERE LETTING OUT. 
>> Reporter: STILL CRIMINAL 
JUSTICE REFORM IS ALL OF A 
SUDDEN IN VOGUE IN BOTH PARTIES.
>> INCARCERATION IN NEW JERSEY 
HAS FALLEN BY NEARLY SO%. 
>> Reporter: CHRIS CHRISTIE SAYS
