Mass incarceration speaks to the disproportionate number of prison populations in the United States’ inequitable justice system. It's characterized by high rates of imprisonment, particularly for nonviolent offenses, mandatory minimums and other systemic issues.
Some contributing factors for Mass Incarceration include policies such as those involving The War on Drugs, and“three strikes” rules, which target Black and Latino populations.
Mass incarceration has had far-reaching consequences on the Black and Latino community from economic disparities, disrupting families, strains on overcrowded prison systems to include lack luster programs and poor facilities, and the stigma that comes with incarceration that make it difficult for these individuals to become reacclimated into society.
Clemency, the power of a chief executive to grant relief from the punishment imposed by a court, is a complex and often controversial topic. It allows for the correction of errors in the justice system, the mitigation of unduly harsh sentences, and the exercise of mercy.
Clemency has been a topic of discussion in advocacy spaces and for conversations on Main Street USA, since President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter.
On December 12th, President Biden granted clemency consisting of 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations.
On December 23rd, “President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole.”
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, Ms. Kemba Smith Pradia has been a phenomenal advocate for criminal justice reform and has shared her story of overcoming Mass Incarceration. She has hosted events nation-wide featuring the movie, “Kemba” and community dialogue centering the need for discussion and solutions for long-overdue criminal justice reform.
Currently, she is fighting for her dear friend Michelle West to receive clemency. You can learn more about her story and support the advocacy here.
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides Absolute pardons, Conditional pardons, and Simple pardons.
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