WASHINGTON (AP) " President Donald Trump is convening a group of governors, criminal justice experts and faith-based leaders to discuss ways of overhauling the nation's prison system with an eye toward reducing the rate of recidivism.
While Trump has put forward a tough-on-crime message his first year in office, the White House views changes to the prison system as an issue that could potentially gain bipartisan support in a divided Congress.
Trump says he wants those who are in prison to be able to contribute to society once they leave.
He says: "We will be very tough on crime but we will provide a ladder of opportunity."
The president was joined by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Republican Govs. Matt Bevin of Kentucky and Sam Brownback of Kansas and others during the round-table discussion.