WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved pardons for 11 people, including “a father” from Douglasville.
The White House said in a news release that pardons were granted to people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, including Jeffrey Alan Lewis.
Lewis, 58, pleaded guilty to a nonviolent drug offense when he was 40, according to the release. Details of Lewis’ conviction and sentence were not immediately known Wednesday.
White House officials said Lewis would have received a “significantly shorter sentence” if he had been convicted under modern law and sentencing practices.
Lewis has served both his sentence and his supervised release obligations, officials said. After his incarceration, officials said Lewis maintained his job and contributed “to the community through charitable work and active community engagement.”
He also established himself as a “family man,” officials said.
Amid announcing his latest pardons, Biden said America was built “on the promise of second chances.” He issued a proclamation on March 29 deeming the month of April as Second Chance Month.
In addition to the 11 pardons, Biden commuted the sentences of five people.
“Many of these individuals received sentences that were disproportionately longer than they would have been under current law, policies and practices. Pardon recipients have demonstrated their commitment to improving their lives and positively transforming their communities. The beneficiaries of sentence commutation have shown that they deserve forgiveness and the chance to build a better future beyond prison walls,” Biden said in a statement.
“Like my other clemency actions, these pardons and commutations reflect my overall commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving public safety. While today’s announcement marks significant and continued progress, my administration will continue to review clemency requests and implement reforms in ways that advance equality. justice, supports reintegration and social reintegration and offers a meaningful second chance. »
In addition to Georgia, residents receiving the pardon are in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Connecticut, South Carolina, Virginia, New York and Washington, DC.
