Washington In order to rectify structural injustices in the U.S. criminal justice system, a group of progressive politicians, led by Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), urged President Biden on Monday to use his clemency powers before he leaves office. Pardons or commutations for death row inmates are part of the drive.
Biden is now being urged by these Democratic leaders to pardon scores of convicted murderers and other horrible criminals.
Jamaal Bowman, a congressman from New York City, told lawmakers today that President Biden should do more than simply pardon his son Hunter.
The group encouraged Biden to utilize his executive authority to decrease mass incarceration and provide relief to vulnerable individuals affected by what they described as unjust and unnecessary criminal laws in a letter signed by 64 senators. They emphasized particular populations, such as the elderly, those with long-term illnesses, those who experience unequal punishment, women who defended themselves against abusers, and those incarcerated on death row.
The MPs wrote, “Now is the time to use your clemency authority to rectify draconian sentences given by judges and unjust and unnecessary criminal laws passed by Congress.” They hailed Biden’s prior clemency initiatives as models of leadership in criminal justice reform, such as the pardoning of former service members who identify as LGBTQ+ and those convicted of marijuana possession.
The politicians also noted that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world and highlighted how communities of color, low-income people, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by mass incarceration. They pointed out that half of all adults have a family member who is incarcerated at some point, and that there are around two million people in the nation who are incarcerated.
The demand for clemency also raises financial issues, pointing to the enormous expense of upholding what the lawmakers called an overburdened criminal justice system. They maintained that clemency may reduce the number of inmates, address injustices, and ease the financial burden on the government.
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