US Historic Act Of Clemency: Out-going President Joe Biden Pardons 39 Convicts, Commutes 1,500 Nonviolent Sentences

The pardons and commutations, announced by the White House on Thursday meant that President Biden now holds the record for the largest single-day act of clemency surpassing the 330 sentences commuted by president Barack Obama in a single day shortly before he left office in 2017.

Those pardoned on Thursday had been convicted of nonviolent crimes such as drug offences and had since turned their lives around, the White House lawyers said.

Beneficiaries included a woman who led emergency response teams during natural disasters, a church deacon who has worked as an addiction counsellor and youth counsellor, a doctoral student in molecular biosciences, and a decorated military veteran.

Biden’s commutations applied to people who served out home confinement sentences for at least one year after they were released from prison during the pandemic.

At one point, about one in five prisoners in the US had COVID-19, according to a tally kept by The Associated Press.

Biden said in a statement that he would take more steps in the weeks ahead and would continue to review clemency petitions.

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” he said.

“As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences.”

Biden had previously issued 122 commutations and 21 other pardons during his term in office, as well as broadly pardoning those convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia.

He has also pardoned former US service members convicted of violating a now-repealed military ban on consensual gay sex.

Biden’s act of clemency came after a broad pardon he issued for his son, Hunter, who was prosecuted for gun and tax crimes, earlier this month, a reversal of his previously stated position that he would not do so.

AP