President Biden Commutes Sentences of 2500 Convicted Of Non Violent Drug Offences
President Joe Biden made a historic move on Friday, commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. This decision breaks the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued. Biden’s goal is to rectify “disproportionately long sentences” compared to current laws and policies ¹.
The recent round of clemency focuses on individuals who received lengthy sentences based on outdated distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes. Biden aims to address historic wrongs, correct sentencing disparities, and provide deserving individuals the opportunity to reunite with their families and communities.
The White House hasn’t released the names of those receiving commutations, but Biden hinted that more might be coming. He plans to review additional commutations and pardons before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. This move is part of Biden’s broader efforts to reform the criminal justice system.
Biden’s decision has been praised by advocacy groups. Shaneva D. McReynolds, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, applauded Biden for leaving a lasting legacy on criminal justice reform. Sarah Gersten, executive director of the Last Prisoner Project, noted that Biden’s action offers hope for those still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.
This announcement follows Biden’s previous commutations, including the sentences of roughly 1,500 people released from prison and placed on home confinement during the pandemic. He also pardoned 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
Biden recently commuted the sentences of 37 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment. Trump has vowed to roll back this order after taking office. As Biden prepares to leave office, he may issue more targeted pardons to help allies, following a tradition set by previous presidents.
Trump, in his final days as president, signed a flurry of pardons and commutations for over 140 people, including his former chief strategist and ex-members of Congress. Biden’s clemency actions, however, have been focused on addressing systemic injustices and promoting reform within the criminal justice system.
