Robert Davis' experience exiting parole has been a difficult process. He seemed to be doing everything correctly, but a miscommunication between the U.S. Parole Commission and his parole officers delayed his release from supervision. Nate Palmer for NPR hide caption
There is a group of about 150 people in federal prison known as "old law" prisoners who committed crimes before November 1987 and still have little hope of release. Cornelia Li for NPR hide caption
There is a group of about 150 people in federal prison known as "old law" prisoners who committed crimes before November 1987 and still have little hope of release. Cornelia Li for NPR hide caption
People walk on a tour of the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix in Collegeville, Pa., in 2018. Two brothers who were at the facility have been freed by clemency after expecting to spend their lives incarcerated. Jacqueline Larma/AP hide caption
A Philadelphia state correctional facility is pictured in June 2018. In Philadelphia, the concept of "felony murder" means someone can spend their life in prison if someone died during a felony act, even if that person did not intend to commit murder. Jacqueline Larma/AP hide caption