President Joe Biden has exercised his clemency power by granting pardons to 11 individuals and commuting the sentences of five others, totaling 16 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. In his statement on Wednesday, Biden emphasized April as Second Chance Month and highlighted the disproportionately lengthy sentences many of these individuals received compared to current legal standards. The president underscored his commitment to addressing racial disparities and enhancing public safety through these actions.
Biden praised the recipients of the pardons for demonstrating a dedication to improving their lives and contributing positively to their communities. For those whose sentences were commuted, the president expressed belief in their capacity for redemption and the opportunity to forge a new path beyond incarceration.
This recent use of clemency follows Biden’s previous pardons in December 2023, where he pardoned thousands of individuals convicted of marijuana possession on federal lands and in the District of Columbia.
An analysis of Justice Department data by the Associated Press reveals that Biden has granted 129 commutations during his first term, surpassing the number granted by any of his predecessors up to Richard Nixon. Notably, Nixon holds the record for issuing the highest number of pardons at 691.
It’s important to note the distinction between a pardon and a commutation: a pardon signifies presidential forgiveness and may restore certain rights lost upon conviction, such as voting rights, while a commutation solely reduces the length of a sentence without nullifying the conviction itself.