12 Dec: President Joe Biden took historic action by commuting the sentences of 1,500 individuals who were released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoning 39 others for non-violent offenses. This marks the largest single-day clemency act in U.S. history.
The 39 pardons include individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, such as drug offenses, who have demonstrated significant rehabilitation and earned a second chance, the White House announced. The clemency effort focuses on people serving sentences that exceed what would be imposed under current laws, reflecting a commitment to addressing sentencing disparities.
Key Details:
- Commutations: The 1,500 individuals had been placed on home confinement to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, which were disproportionately affected during the pandemic. The commutations apply to those who have served at least one year on home confinement and successfully reintegrated into society.
- Pardons: The 39 pardons were granted to individuals who had turned their lives around and shown remorse for past actions. These cases often involved outdated sentencing practices.
- Biden’s Statement: “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said. “It’s my privilege to extend mercy to those who have demonstrated rehabilitation and taken steps to contribute to their communities.”
- Future Plans: The White House confirmed that additional clemency petitions will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Historical Context:
President Biden has now granted more clemency requests during his first term than any recent president at this stage. His actions outpace even those of Barack Obama, who granted 330 clemencies in a single day in 2017. Biden’s administration has also previously issued categorical pardons for federal marijuana offenses and exonerated LGBTQ+ service members convicted under outdated laws targeting their sexual orientation.
Criticism:
The president faced backlash earlier this month for a controversial blanket pardon granted to his son, Hunter Biden, who faced charges for federal gun and tax violations. Despite previous commitments not to intervene in his son’s legal matters, the decision has drawn scrutiny.
Clemency Definition:
Clemency refers to a president’s power to:
- Pardon: Relieve an individual of guilt and punishment, effectively clearing their record.
- Commute: Reduce or eliminate the punishment without exonerating the individual.
The full list of those granted clemency is available on the White House website.
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