Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Friday announced that 2,500 convicts would be subject to individual pardons and commutations for non-violent narcotic offenses.
Presidents typically order a round of pardons toward the end of their time in office. Biden, whose term concludes next week with Donald Trump’s inauguration, said that this round would make him the president who has issued the most individual pardons and commutations.
Non-violent drug offenders to benefit
“Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice,” Biden said in a statement issued by the White House.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said.
The US president said that the action was “an important step toward righting historic wrongs.”
In December, Biden announced there would be commuted sentences for 37 out of 40 inmates on death row, with sentences converted to life imprisonment without parole.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/us-president-biden-commutes-prison-sentences-of-nearly-2500/a-71324278