President Biden announced the commutation of sentences for nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses as one of his last major moves just before leaving office.
The big picture: The action aimed to address past sentencing disparities, including distinctions between crack and powder cocaine offenses and outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes.
- With this move, Biden became the president who issued the most pardons and commutations compared to any other US president.
Flashback: In a separate move, last month Biden commuted the sentences of 37 people on federal death row, excluding only three individuals, including notable figures like Robert D. Bowers and Dylann Roof.
What they’re saying: Biden said in a statement that these individuals were serving disproportionately long sentences compared to today’s standards under current law, policy, and practice.
- “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who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said.