Joe Biden, who leaves office next week, announced on Friday he was commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses, as per The Guardian, saying he had now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any predecessor. The US president said in a statement that those benefiting from Friday’s action were “serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy and practice.” The move provides clemency relief to individuals who were sentenced based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, and outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes, according to the statement issued by the White House. In December, Biden commuted the sentences for 37 of 40 federal inmates on death row, converting them to life in prison without parole, before Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office on 20 January. He also announced in the same month that he was pardoning 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes and commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 others who were serving long prison terms. Biden has faced criticism for pardoning his son Hunter, who had pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges. Presidents typically order a round of pardons toward the end of their time in office. (With inputs from The Guardian)
