President Joe Biden granted 39 pardons on Thursday, including one to a woman from Indianapolis.
The White House announced a list of pardon recipients, which included Emily Good Nelson.
According to the Biden administration announcement, Good Nelson is a 39-year-old woman who was convicted of nonviolent narcotics offences 20 years ago.
It further states that since her release from prison, Good Nelson has acquired her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is now employed in the health care industry in Indiana.
“She has spoken publicly about drug use and volunteered as a counsellor at an in-patient psychiatric facility,” President Biden wrote in his pardon. “She is described as kind, committed to recovery and helping others, and as someone with tremendous talent and ability.”
Rep. Andre Carson, who represents Indianapolis in the United States House, stated that the pardons will improve the justice and balance of the federal legal system.
“These actions will reunite separated families and open doors for them to reintegrate into their communities,” Carson said in a statement. “I’m hoping for more pardons to come. I also hope that today’s pardons give a message of hope to all individuals battling with addiction, particularly during the difficult holiday season. “Recovery is possible.”
On Thursday, Biden commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 prisoners who were freed from prison and placed under home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the largest single-day clemency action in contemporary history.
“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 offences.”