On December 25, 2024, President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates, making a significant move towards criminal justice reform. The commutations mark an ongoing shift in U.S. federal policy under Biden’s administration, reflecting his stance against the death penalty. This decision aligns with Biden’s earlier pledges to work toward reducing the use of capital punishment, which he views as inconsistent with American values and often prone to irreversible mistakes. The commuted sentences will be converted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and these inmates will continue serving their time under the federal prison system.
This action is part of a broader conversation surrounding the death penalty in the U.S., with a growing number of states abolishing or halting executions in recent years.
