SPLC Praises the Biden Administration for Historic Action Granting Clemency and Pardons

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Today, the Biden Administration granted clemency to nearly 1,500 people on home confinement and pardons for 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes.
 
“The President’s bold action today provides justice to many Black and Brown communities in the Deep South, who are disproportionately and over-harshly punished due to discriminatory and abusive law enforcement practices,” said Margaret Huang, president and CEO, Southern Poverty Law Center. “The failings of the criminal legal system have resulted in the mass incarceration of people of color throughout the South, justified by fabricated narratives about the benefits of institutionalization to public safety.
 
“Improving the safety of our communities starts with providing better opportunities for all people to receive a quality education, find fair-paying work and the ability to climb the economic ladder. And those who make mistakes and have taken accountability must also be given the chance to once again become contributing members of society, added Huang.
 
“We encourage the Biden administration to continue reviewing clemency petitions and urge the President to commute the sentences of people on federal death row before leaving office.”