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Podcasts Take Two
Support builds in DC for reform to federal prison sentencing
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Jul 28, 2015
Listen • 6:12
Support builds in DC for reform to federal prison sentencing
Both Republicans and Democrats are showing a willingness to alter tough sentencing laws that have been in place for decades.
IONE, CA - AUGUST 28: Inmates at the Mule Creek State Prison interact in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners August 28, 2007 in Ione, California. A panel of three federal judges is looking to put a cap on the California State Prison population after class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of inmates who complained of being forced to live in classrooms, gymnasiums and other non-traditional prison housing. California prisons house nearly 173,000 inmates with over 17,000 of them in non-traditional housing. The Mule Creek State Prison has had to modify several facilities to make room for an increasing number of inmates. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
IONE, CA - AUGUST 28: Inmates at the Mule Creek State Prison interact in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners August 28, 2007 in Ione, California. California has put in place a number of reforms to reduce prison population. Now, support is building at the federal level for reform to sentencing laws. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Both Republicans and Democrats are showing a willingness to alter tough sentencing laws that have been in place for decades.

The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, but efforts to reduce the prison population have long been locked in political debate.

Now, that may be changing, according to recent statements from top Republican leaders.

Both Republicans and Democrats are showing a willingness to alter tough sentencing laws that have been in place for decades.

Earlier this month, President Obama put out a call to reform the criminal justice system and now Republican House Speaker John Boehner has joined him.

For more, we're joined by Stephen Raphael, professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley and an expert in prison sentencing.