President Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 1,500 People

  • Pardons issued to 39 people convicted of non-violent offenses
  • Biden vows further acts of clemency in the coming weeks
Joe BidenPhotographer: Samuel Corum/Sipa

President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of almost 1,500 people, the largest one-day act of presidential clemency. He also issued pardons to 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, several of whom would get lighter sentences if convicted now, the White House announced Thursday.

The commutations are for people who were placed on home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of an effort to reduce prison populations.