WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 31 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug crimes who have been serving time in dwelling confinement, the White House introduced Friday.
Many would have gotten a decrease sentence in the event that they have been charged in the present day with the identical offense due to modifications within the legal guidelines. A commuted sentence means they’ll spend much less time in dwelling confinement.
The commutations got here because the White House introduced a set of coverage actions throughout 20 completely different companies meant to enhance the felony justice system, which disproportionately impacts Black and different non-white communities. The president introduced his reelection marketing campaign this week, and should maintain Black voters in his coalition if he desires to win in 2024.
The plan is an effort to increase well being care entry, reasonably priced housing and schooling, and make it simpler for many who have been combined up within the system to get jobs, larger schooling and vote. The effort features a plan to make extra grants out there for individuals who want funding for schooling, and small enterprise loans.
Roughly 600,000 U.S. residents depart jail annually, and one other 9 million cycle out and in of jail. As many as one in three Americans has a felony report. That stigma could make it onerous to get a job, return to highschool or begin a enterprise.
“Far too many of them face steep barriers to getting a job or a home, obtaining health care, or finding the capital to start a business,” mentioned outgoing home coverage adviser Susan Rice, the primary individual to carry each nationwide safety and home coverage adviser positions within the White House. She is leaving her submit after two years and her final day is May 26.
“By investing in crime prevention and a fairer criminal justice system, we can tackle the root causes of crime, improve individual and community outcomes, and ease the burden on police,” she mentioned.
The Democratic president has commuted the sentences of 75 different individuals to date. He additionally pardoned hundreds who have been convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana beneath federal legislation, and others who’ve lengthy since served out their sentences.
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