In a historic move, President Joe Biden has granted clemency to a record number of individuals convicted of non-violent crimes, marking a significant step toward criminal justice reform.
The president commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he issued pardons to 39 individuals convicted of non-violent offenses, including drug crimes.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” President Biden said in a statement.
U.S. President Joe Biden holds news conference at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. NATO leaders convene in Washington this week for the annual summit to discuss future strategies and commitments and mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance’s founding.
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“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.”
Among those receiving clemency was Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, a former drug kingpin and one-half of the leadership behind the Black Mafia Family (BMF), the criminal organization that inspired the hit Starz show BMF.
(L-R) Nicole Flenory, Terry Flenory and Lucille Flenory attend the BMF Season 2 exclusive Detroit screening at Emagine Royal Oak on December 13, 2022 in Royal Oak, Michigan.
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Also included in the group was the infamous “kids-for-cash” judge Michael Conahan, and Rita Crundwell, who plead guilty to partaking in a $54 million embezzlement scheme, which was believed to be the largest municipal fraud in US history at the time.
These moves came with a fair amount of scrutiny, as many felt those figures were undeserving of clemency and pardons due to the severity and widespread impact of their crimes.
Biden’s clemency actions come amid growing calls for criminal justice reform, with many urging for policies that focus on rehabilitation over punitive measures. By granting clemency, Biden is taking a step toward addressing the disparities in sentencing and providing second chances to those who have shown a commitment to turning their lives around.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the media following the Supreme Court’s ruling on charges against former President Donald Trump that he sought to subvert the 2020 election, at the White House on July 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. The highest court ruled 6-3 that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution when operating within their “constitutional authority,” but do not have absolute immunity.
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