Biden grants clemency to 1500 people, including 3 from WA

President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed in home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic, and is pardoning 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes.

It's the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

Keep reading to learn more about the individuals pardoned from Washington and who else received clemency.

Three individuals from Washington granted clemency

Three of those pardoned Thursday are from Washington state, all for non-violent drug offenses.

Terence Anthony Jackson, of Seattle, is a 36-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense he did when he was 23, according to The White House.

"In the years since his release, Mr. Jackson has worked in the legal industry and is pursuing a degree while he works full-time," the order read. "In addition to studying, Mr. Jackson has volunteered in his community, including as a barber to children in need. He is described by those who know him as dependable and caring and as someone who always tries to help others,"

Russell Thomas Portner, of Toutle (in Cowlitz County), is a 74-year-old man who also pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged after earning the Bronze Star among several decorations.

"Since his conviction, he married, raised four children, operated a successful business and developed a reputation for charitable generosity and community service.," the order read. "He is currently a member of several veterans organizations. Neighbors, business associates, and friends describe him as trustworthy, loyal, and as a respected businessperson."

Rosetta Jean Davis, of Colville, pleaded not guilty to the same crime. The 60-year-old "has maintained steady employment, including by working as a peer supporter for those struggling with substance abuse. Colleagues, family, friends and neighbors all speak highly of her, citing her hard work, dependability, and willingness to serve as an example of rehabilitation to those with criminal records or who are battling addiction."

The commutations announced Thursday are for people who have served out home confinement sentences for at least one year after they were released. Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread. At one point, 1 in 5 prisoners had COVID-19, according to a tally kept by The Associated Press.

What is clemency?

Clemency is the term for the power the president has to pardon, in which a person is relieved of guilt and punishment, or to commute a sentence, which reduces or eliminates the punishment but doesn’t exonerate the wrongdoing. 

It’s customary for a president to grant mercy at the end of his term, using the power of the office to wipe away records or end prison terms.

Who else received clemency Thursday?

Those pardoned Thursday range in age from 36 to 75. About half are men and half are women, and they had been convicted of nonviolent crimes such as drug offenses, fraud or theft and turned their lives around, White House lawyers said. They include a woman who led emergency response teams during natural disasters; a church deacon who has worked as an addiction counselor and youth counselor; a doctoral student in molecular biosciences; and a decorated military veteran.

The president had previously issued 122 commutations and 21 other pardons. He's also broadly pardoned those convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, and pardoned former U.S. service members convicted of violating a now-repealed military ban on consensual gay sex.

More clemency grants are coming before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, but it's not clear whether he'll take action to guard against possible prosecution by Trump, an untested use of the power. 

The president has been taking the idea seriously and has been thinking about it for as much as six months — before the presidential election — but has been concerned about the precedent it would set, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

Are more individuals likely to receive clemency in the coming weeks?

Biden said he would be taking more steps in the weeks ahead and would continue to review clemency petitions. The second largest single-day act of clemency was by Barack Obama, with 330, shortly before leaving office in 2017.

"America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances," Biden said in a statement. "As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses."

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