US President Joe Biden announces largest pardon in history

US President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people under house arrest after serving prison sentences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pardoned 39 non-violent criminals who did not involve the use of force or causing bodily harm to others. This is the largest single-day commutation and pardon in modern US history.

US President Joe Biden speaks at an event at the White House on December 11. PHOTO: REUTERS

The commutation, announced by the White House on December 12 (local time), is for people who have been under house arrest for at least a year after being released from prison. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prisons are places where the virus is easily spread, so some inmates were released to prevent infection. According to statistics from the AP news agency, at one point, one in five prisoners in the US had COVID-19. In the White House announcement, President Biden emphasized that America was built on the belief in a better future and second chances. He also pledged to continue reviewing clemency applications and take further steps in the coming time.

President Joe Biden’s announcement of the largest pardon in history has many important implications, both politically , socially and humanitarianly. This pardon demonstrates the Biden administration’s commitment to reforming the criminal justice system, especially in reducing penalties for non-violent crimes, such as drug crimes. This can help reduce the burden on the prison system and create opportunities for convicted individuals to reintegrate into society. Many of those pardoned are often people from disadvantaged groups, including communities of color and other vulnerable groups. Pardons help to remedy some of the injustices in the legal system, and can create a sense of greater fairness in society. Pardons allow people who have committed crimes to start over, find jobs and contribute to society. This benefits not only the individual but also the community as they can participate more actively in society. The pardons also send a strong message about the Biden administration’s policies on drug and crime issues and the need for a more humane approach to offenders. The pardons could pave the way for other policies and programs aimed at reforming the criminal justice system in the future, creating a positive trend in addressing issues related to crime and punishment./.

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