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The article discusses the work of the Clemency Project 2014 volunteer legal advocacy group which assists prisoners in America such as James Ledford with pardons and relief from prison sentences. According to the article, American prosecutors have an option to enhance a criminal defendant's sentence to mandatory life in prison when that defendant has two or more felony drug convictions. U.S. President Barack Obama's clemency power is examined, along with sentencing reform efforts.

The article discusses U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch's keynote speech to the American Bar Association's (ABA's) General Assembly in 2015 in which Lynch praised the ABA for its sentencing reform-related work and its efforts on behalf of liberty and justice. Changes to the U.S. criminal justice system are examined in relation to mandatory sentences for minor drug offenses. It states that the ABA Medal of Honor was presented to Roberta Cooper Ramo who was the ABA's first female president.

The article discusses the prevalence of drug crimes in relation to clemency bids in America as of 2015, and it mentions the U.S. Justice Department's criteria for its clemency initiative, as well as information about sentencing disparities involving crack cocaine crimes and powder drug crimes.

Reports on the role of the U.S. government to counter the violence of international drug cartels. Extradition of drug traffickers; Security protection for prosecutors and judges to enhance interdiction programs. INSET: Official Kidnapping.