Joe Biden marks his first use of clemency powers along with second chance initiatives

President Joe Biden pardoned three individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes on Tuesday. He also commuted the sentence of another 75 individuals who were convicted of nonviolent drug crimes.

Biden announced the pardons and commutations along with the launch of new second chance initiatives aimed at assisting former convicts in reentering the workforce.

While using clemency powers, Biden stated that America is a law-abiding nation built on the principles of second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation. Elected officials of both parties, civil rights advocates, law enforcement officials, and faith leaders support the second chance initiative and expect that the criminal justice system will abide by these core values to build a safer and stronger community.


He also stated that in this second chance month, he is upholding these core values by pardoning and commuting the sentences of fellow Americans.

Joe Biden used his clemency powers to pardon Abraham Bolden, Sr., an 86-year-old former Secret Service agent, Betty Jo Bogans, a 51-year-old woman from Houston, and Dexter Jackson, a 52-year-old man from Georgia.

Apart from these three pardons, Biden is commuting the sentences of 75 persons charged with nonviolent drug offenses who are currently serving their time in jail, on house arrest, or on supervised release. As per the White House, all these 75 convicts have made efforts to rehabilitate themselves through drug treatment, educational learning, or vocational training.

Criminal justice organizations pleaded with Biden for months to use his clemency power and grant relief to inmates serving lengthy sentences for nonviolent crimes, especially at a time amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the jails were overcrowded.

Along with the clemency announcement of three people, the Biden administration also launched a multi-step effort to reduce recidivism and bring in employment to those who have already served their term in prison.

Today, the Departments of Justice and Labor announced a $145 million investment in job skills training and tailored employment plans for offenders housed in Bureau of Prisons facilities.