New York University School of Law is launching a yearlong pro bono law office that will help federal prisoners seek clemency. Seven full-time attorneys—primarily recent law school graduates—will begin handling prisoners' applications in August.

The announcement came just days after President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 46 federal prisoners for nonviolent drug offenses. He has granted 89 commutations during his presidency and on Thursday was to visit the El Reno, Oklahoma, corrections facility—the first-ever presidential visit to a federal prison.

In April 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice expanded clemency eligibility, giving priority to prisoners who have served at least 10 years, would likely have received shorter sentences today, and were convicted of nonviolent crimes.