Prez Biden commutes sentences of COVID home confinement cohort and also grants 39 pardons

Two days ago, I moderated this event, titled “President Biden’s Pardon Legacy and the Future of the Federal Clemency Power,” in which a number of panelists assailed Prez Biden’s clemency record.  This morning, the White House released this statement from Prez Biden reporting that his clemency record is now much more robust.  Here is the full text of what is titled “Statement from President Joe Biden on Providing Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Individuals on Home Confinement and Pardons for 39 Individuals Convicted of Non-Violent Crimes”:

America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.  As President, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.

That is why, today, I am pardoning 39 people who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer.  I am also commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who are serving long prison sentences – many of whom would receive lower sentences if charged under today’s laws, policies, and practices.  These commutation recipients, who were placed on home confinement during the COVID pandemic, have successfully reintegrated into their families and communities and have shown that they deserve a second chance.

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.

This CNN piece, headlined “Biden grants clemency for nearly 1,500 people, the biggest single-day act of clemency in modern history,” provides a few details on the pardon recipients:

The 39 people being pardoned were convicted of non-violent crimes, and considered to have demonstrated records of meaningfully giving back to the country. “They are individuals who have secured employment, advanced their education, served as caretakers for their children and family members, and have really reintegrated into the tapestry of their communities,” an administration official familiar with the announcement told CNN. “They include individuals who faced incredible challenges in life and have really now shown resilience and seeking to overcome those challenges.”

While CNN has not obtained a full list of names of the clemency recipients, sources provided several examples of individuals being pardoned. Among them: A decorated military veteran described as having devoted much of his time helping members of his community including the sick and elderly; a nurse who is said to have helped during natural disasters and was at the forefront of vaccination efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic; as well as an addiction counselor recognized for his dedication to mentoring young men of color.

The pardon details in the CNN piece seems to come from this “fact sheet” released by the White House discussing today’s clemency activity more fully.

UPDATE:  Here is a link to the full list of today’s clemency recipients.