Donald Trump has commuted the life sentence of a 63-year-old woman whose cause was championed by Kim Kardashian West.

Alice Marie Johnson spent more than two decades behind bars, serving life without parole for non-violent drug offences.

She was released hours after the White House announcement.

In contrast to a pardon, Mr Trump's actions only ended rather than erased Ms Johnson's conviction.

Kardashian West, who met with the president to lobby on behalf of Johnson, tweeted that the prisoner's release was the