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Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Offenders in Largest Single-Day Clemency
Jan 17, 2025, 12:08 PM
President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history. This action gives Biden the presidential record for most individual pardons and commutations issued, as he aims to address longstanding disparities in the criminal justice system, particularly those related to outdated drug laws involving crack cocaine offenses. "The action, aimed at inmates who received harsher sentences based on old disparities in drug laws, will be the broadest commutation of individual sentences ever issued by a U.S. president," the administration stated. Biden emphasized the importance of rectifying historical injustices, saying, "Today, I'm commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. This is an important step toward righting historic wrongs and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their communities after far too much time behind bars." This move comes as Biden prepares to leave office next week, following the end of his term. In his final days, he has undertaken a flurry of clemency actions aimed at correcting excessively harsh prison terms. Last month, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment, and also commuted the sentences of about 1,500 people released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. By addressing sentencing disparities and reducing excessive prison terms, Biden seeks to reform aspects of the criminal justice system. The clemency actions are intended to benefit individuals who would likely receive shorter sentences if convicted under current laws and policies. Biden has indicated that more commutations and pardons could be forthcoming.
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