Day 3 of NAACP conference focuses on criminal justice reform

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The NAACP convention continued Monday in Center City, and one of the big themes of the day was criminal justice reform. The group also heard from Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey. And of course everyone is waiting for President Obama's visit on Tuesday.

Today, the third day of the conference, NAACP president Cornell William Brooks addressed the crowd by sharing the organizations message and addressing issues plaguing the African American community, as well as accomplishments made by the organization.

His speech is one of several keynote speakers. Tomorrow President Obama will address the crowd.

Brooks got a standing ovation this afternoon during his keynote speech.

"We've seen more civil rights challenges this year than we've seen in quite some time. And to be clear, there are many who wonder whether or not we are up to the task," Brooks said, outlining what's ahead following a tense year in race relations across the country.

He said, "So in 2015 your NAACP, faced with challenges on every side, said it's time for America's journey for justice."

Today also focused on reform to the criminal justice system. A panel discussed ridding minor offenses and how prosecutors can fairly handle cases.

Senator Bob Casey pushed a senate bill aimed to steer people from incarceration by offering more education.

Senator Casey tells us, "That's the tragic irony is we have all the data to support pre-kindergarten education, leading to fewer folks ending up in the prison system."

This afternoon President Obama commuted sentences of 46 nonviolent drug offenders. Tomorrow he is expected to layout ideas about improving the fairness of the system.