SEIU’s Verrett: President Biden’s commutations for people serving outdated sentences is a win for our justice system

WASHINGTON, DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President April Verrett joined labor leaders and civil rights advocates today to applaud President Biden's historic clemency announcement, commuting the federal prison sentences of 2,500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. With this latest round of commutations, President Biden has granted more individual pardons and commutations than any president in US history. Last month, Verrett was joined by union leaders from AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, APWU, UMWA, NEA, and CWA to send a joint letter to the Biden Administration emphasizing the importance of commuting sentences for people whose prison sentences would be much shorter under today's law and policies.

"SEIU members commend President Biden for taking bold action to help lay the foundation for a more just society. It speaks volumes that one of his last actions in office was to extend clemency to those who have been treated unfairly by our racist justice system. The number of people who were still serving sentences under the discredited crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity was another painful reminder of how much our justice has always been skewed towards the white, the wealthy, and the politically connected," said Verrett.

"Today, President Biden has further cemented his legacy by reuniting families, providing men and women with an opportunity to have a second chance to rejoin the workforce, create a better life, and contribute to their communities. This robust clemency action will help boost local economies, support the nation's long-term economic prosperity without compromising public safety and give a much needed voice to those long ignored by society."