Washington — President Biden on Wednesday granted clemency to 16 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, pardoning 11 of them and commuting the sentences of the other five.
The pardon recipients include a woman who has since earned her doctorate, a business owner and community members involved in their churches, while one of the commutation recipients will no longer have to serve a life prison sentence.
In December, the president granted categorical pardons to thousands convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana in Washington, D.C., and on federal lands.
Clemency is the overarching term that encompasses both pardons — the forgiveness of legal consequences stemming from a conviction — and commutations, which reduce prison sentences or eliminate other penalties.
"America is a nation founded on the promise of second chances," the president said in a written statement. "During Second Chance Month, we reaffirm our commitment to rehabilitation and reentry for people returning to their communities post incarceration. We also recommit to building a criminal justice system that lives up to those ideals and ensures that everyone receives equal justice under law. That is why today I am announcing steps I am taking to make this promise a reality."
President Biden announced that his administration will continue to assess clemency petitions and implement reforms to promote equal justice, support rehabilitation and reentry, and offer meaningful second chances.
Among those pardoned by President Biden is Katrina Polk, a 54-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., who was convicted of a nonviolent drug offense at the age of 18. Since her release, Polk has obtained a PhD in public policy and administration and now advocates for the elderly, according to the White House.
Another individual granted a pardon is Jason Hernandez of McKinney, Texas, a 47-year-old man with multiple convictions for nonviolent drug offenses dating back to his youth. The White House noted that under current laws, Hernandez would have received a significantly shorter sentence. He currently operates a nonprofit organization that has transformed the location where he used to sell drugs into a store providing quality, affordable food to the community.
Alexis Sutton, a 33-year-old woman from New Haven, Connecticut, also received a pardon for her nonviolent drug offense. She is working towards becoming a registered nurse and is actively involved in her local church, as stated by the White House.
Additionally, the president commuted the sentences of five individuals convicted of offenses related to cocaine.
Presidential Clemency for Drug Offender
In a significant move, a Miami resident, Jophaney Hyppolite, who was serving a life sentence along with 10 years of supervised release for manufacturing cocaine base in 2013, had their sentence commuted by the President. The new sentence stands at 30 years, with the supervised release term remaining unchanged.
It is common for Presidents to exercise their clemency powers towards the end of their term, issuing pardons or reducing sentences.
The Biden administration has shown a commitment to addressing the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, especially concerning nonviolent drug offenses that disproportionately affect minority and Black communities.
