Reminders from many Govs to Prez Biden: it is always a good time for good clemency

I noted in this recent post that Prez Biden is now behind Prez Trump’s clemency pace as we approach the end of the eighth month of Prez Biden’s time in the Oval Office without him having yet used his clemency pen one single time.  As discussed in this post from late last month, there is talk that Prez Biden might use his clemency powers to help ensure that at least some member of the CARES home confinement cohort does not have to return to prison after the pandemic.   With summer now winding down, I thought it might be useful to highlight that at least some state governors understand that any time and every season can be a good time and season for clemency.  So here is a round-up of just some stories and commentaries about state clemency efforts from just this summer: 

From Arkansas: “Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Intent to Grant Executive Clemency“

From Kansas: “Kelly Commutes 5 Prisoners’ Sentences, Pardons 3 Others“

From Missouri: “Governor Parson Grants 12 Pardons, Commutes One Sentence“

From New Mexico: “Pardons for 19 New Mexico criminals, some who were violent“

From Oregon: “Pardons and commutations rising in Oregon“

From Virginia: “Northam was right to grant clemency to the Martinsville Seven. He should extend it to the living, too.“

From Washington: “Inslee commutes more convictions to clear backlog left after Washington state’s drug-possession law struck down“

From Wisconsin: “Gov. Evers grants 71 pardons since May“