WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that he was granting pardons to 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes and reducing the prison sentences of nearly 1,500 others. This was a part of his efforts to bring justice and mercy to those who have been serving long sentences, especially those affected by outdated laws.
A Big Step for Justice
The pardons and sentence reductions come just over a week after Biden granted an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter. Officials said that the White House had been listening to calls for Biden to help many others who were unfairly treated by the U.S. justice system.
These actions are especially focused on those who were placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden explained that if these people were convicted today, their sentences would likely be much shorter, thanks to changes in laws and policies.
Focus on Non-Violent Crimes
The individuals affected by the clemency (pardons and sentence reductions) were mostly those convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. Many of them were identified by civil rights groups as having been unjustly incarcerated. Biden highlighted that these actions were part of his ongoing efforts to fix unfair sentencing, especially for nonviolent offenders.
“As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have shown they are sorry for their past mistakes and have worked to improve themselves. This helps them get back into society and contribute to their communities,” Biden said.
A Historic Day for Clemency
The clemency actions on Thursday were the most ever granted in a single day, according to the White House. In the coming weeks, Biden’s team will continue reviewing requests for clemency and considering more actions.
U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, who helped lead a campaign urging Biden to grant clemency, praised the president for taking “meaningful and historic action.” She also said there could be more to come before Biden leaves office.
Looking Ahead
In just 39 days, President-elect Donald Trump will take office, and he has already promised to issue pardons for people involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This has set high expectations for clemency actions during the final days of Biden’s presidency.
For now, many are celebrating the positive changes that Biden’s clemency actions have brought to the lives of thousands of people. The president’s actions have offered hope to those seeking a second chance.
