US President Joe Biden will commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardon 39 convicted of non-violent crimes, the White House said, in the largest granting of clemency by an American leader in one day in modern history.
The commutations are for people who were released from prison during the coronavirus pandemic and allowed to serve their sentences at home.
“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Mr Biden said on Thursday. “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 offences.”
The people receiving clemency would have been given lower sentences had they been charged under current laws, the White House said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Americans receiving clemency includes a decorated military veteran, a nurse who has led the response to disasters, and an addiction counsellor who volunteers his time to help young people.
"Today's actions build on the President's record of criminal justice reform to help reunite families, strengthen communities and reintegrate individuals back into society," Ms Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Mr Biden, whose term ends on January 20, said he would be taking more steps in the weeks ahead and would continue to review clemency petitions.
The move comes two weeks after Mr Biden issued a pardon for his son, Hunter, who was convicted of federal tax evasion and illegal possession of a firearm. The decision came under intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats, as Mr Biden had long said he would not pardon his son.
He said that his son had been an unfair target, and feared he would face more retribution when president-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Mr Biden is also considering pre-emptive pardons to current and former government officials who investigated Mr Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, amid concerns that they could also face reprisals under the new administration.
It is a long-standing tradition in the US for presidents to use their authority to grant pardons at the end of their terms.