President Beden forgives 39 people, eases the sentence of 1500

Outgoing US President Joe Biden said on Thursday he has pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes and that he has reduced sentences to about 1,500 others suffering long-term prison sentences.

This development comes a week after the president signed an unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden.

Last week officials said the White House was considering calls to Mr. Biden to pardon or reduce the sentences of those thousands of people, that the American judicial system has not dealt with fairly.

The reductions in the sentences Thursday were announced to those who were placed in house arrest during COVID-19's pandemic.

Mr. Biden said these people would have received shorter sentences if they were charged according to today's laws, policies and practices.

Last week, sources told Reuters that the pardons being discussed were linked to penalties for non-violent acts involving drugs, as well as persons identified by civil rights groups, as unjustly imprisoned.

“As president, I have the great privilege of showing mercy to people who have shown remorse and who have been rehabilitated, giving Americans the opportunity to return to their daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove inequality in penalties for nonviolent offenders, especially those convicted of drug - related criminal acts.”, President Biden said.

He added that he would take more steps in the coming weeks and that his administration would continue reviewing petitions for forgiveness.

The White House said the decisions made by Mr. Beaden in number were the largest in one day.

Newly elected President Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20th, has said that on his first day in office, he will forgive persons involved in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. / VOA