President Obama Visits Federal Correctional Institution In El Reno

It's day two of President Barack Obama's visit to Oklahoma. On Thursday, he visited the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno.

It is part of a weeklong focus by the president on inequities in the criminal justice system. Obama has argued forcefully for an alternative to the continued lengthy incarceration of people who've been convicted of crimes that he said didn't fit the punishment. He said society pays too high a price in dollars and human capital.

The White House said Obama will be the first sitting president to see the inside of a federal prison. He'll also be interviewed at the prison for an upcoming documentary on the criminal justice system.

The President doesn't just want to make history being the first sitting president to visit a federal prison, but also to reform criminal justice.

With a concern on the incarceration rate and cost of prisons, the President has laid out three areas of focus.

1. Community. "Don't just tag them as future criminals.  Reach out to them as future citizens."
2. Courtroom. "We should pass a sentencing reform bill through Congress this year. We need to ask prosecutors to use their discretion to seek the best punishment, the one that's going to be most effective, instead of just the longest punishment."
3. Cell Block. "Our prisons should be a place where we can train people for skills that can help them find a job, not train them to become more hardened criminals."

The President met with law enforcement officials and inmates, so he can, as he puts it, shine a spotlight on prisoners paying their debt and then turning their lives around.

President Obama arrived in Oklahoma Wednesday afternoon, and spoke at Durant High School. He discussed the link between technology and economic prosperity, and laid out a new plan on bringing internet access to low income families and rural areas. He then traveled to Oklahoma City, where he stayed overnight. 

7/15/2015 Related Story: Obama Announces 'ConnectHome' Initiative While Speaking In Durant

News 9 and News9.com will bring you team coverage on the President's visit Thursday. Stay with us for updates.