WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is commuting the prison sentences of 61 people serving time for drug-related offenses, including three from Louisiana.

White House counsel Neil Eggleston says more than a third of the inmates were serving life sentences. Obama's commutation shortens their sentences. Most will be released July 28.

All of the inmates are serving time for drug possession, intent to sell or related crimes. Most are nonviolent offenders, although a few were also charged with firearms violations.

The commutations bring to 248 the number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted. The White House says that's more than the past six presidents combined.

The Louisiana inmates include:

-Kevin County, New Orleans. Distributing more than 100 grams of heroin; distributing less than 100 grams of heroin (two counts); and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride, distribution of cocaine base, distribution of cocaine hydrochloride, use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug crime. Sentenced to 151 months' imprisonment; six years' supervised release and 240 months' imprisonment (concurrent); 10 years' supervised release.

-Roy Lee Debose, Shreveport. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base. Sentenced to 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release.

-John E. Milton III, Baton Rouge. Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and cocaine base. Sentenced to 600 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release and $250,000 fine.