Press Release: President Biden’s Clemency Action Displays Opportunity for More Progress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier today, President Joe Biden announced that he would exercise his executive clemency powers for the first time, pardoning three people and commuting the sentences of 75 people. The announcement came during Second Chances Month, which prompted the White House to direct federal agencies to work to “eliminate barriers to reentry” for people returning home after incarceration.
“We hope this is the first of many executive actions to provide people with a second chance,” said Sheena Meade, executive director of the Clean Slate Initiative. “While clemency is an important part of ensuring that people have a chance to return home, communities also deserve legislative action that can reduce the barriers returning citizens face. Passing laws that automatically expunge people’s records after a certain amount of time would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to pursue employment, seek education, and provide for themselves and their families.”
The Clean Slate Initiative is a national bipartisan coalition advancing policies to automatically clear all eligible criminal records across the United States. Five (5) states have passed Clean Slate laws - Pennsylvania, Utah, Michigan, Connecticut, and Delaware with broad bipartisan support. In addition, Clean Slate legislation is currently moving towards passage in three (3) states - Colorado, Oklahoma, and New York. Strong coalitions are also working in several other states, building momentum for Clean Slate legislative action in the future. State and national partners are also pushing to pass the Clean Slate Act in Congress, which would remove major barriers for many Americans by automatically sealing many federal records after people complete their sentences.
“Laws that automate record clearance make our communities safer,” added Sheena Meade. “They help reduce recidivism and allow people to reenter society as contributive community members. Passing legislation that automates record clearance gives people the relief they are entitled to without navigating an often expensive and difficult bureaucratic process. As elected officials pursue more legislative and executive branch policies to address the perpetual harms people face by having a record, they must include directly impacted community members who have led and continue to lead the movement for second chances. We call upon the White House to bring more formerly incarcerated community members into the conversations that will shape future executive action related to ensuring our returning neighbors, fathers, mothers, and loved ones truly get a second chance.”
