President Joe Biden is commuting the sentence of roughly 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 individuals.
This is “the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern history,” per the announcement on Thursday.
The roughly 1,5000 individuals were placed in home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic and “have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities,” the White House said. They have served their home confinement sentences for at least one year.
The individuals who are receiving pardons were convicted of non-violent crimes, such as drug offenses, and “have turned their lives around,” the White House said.
Additionally, Biden “has issued more sentence commutations at this point in his presidency than any of his recent predecessors at the same point in their first terms,” per the White House.
As The Associated Press noted, former President Barack Obama has the second largest single-day act of clemency, with 330.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement, adding, “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My Administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”
