Brennan Center reviews criminal justice reform under Biden administration – JURIST

The Brennan Center for Justice published a report Monday examining the Biden administration’s progress on criminal justice reform. The Brennan Center, a progressive and reform-minded organization, was lukewarm in their assessment. The piece divides Bidens’s policies throughout his first year as president into three categories: “little or no progress,” “limited policy changes” and “notable progress.”

The piece primarily compares statements made during President Biden’s campaign to the administration’s actions. It also includes recommendations that either align with the campaign promises or ones that the Brennan Center feels will improve the fairness and administration of the criminal justice system.

Two main issue areas are included in the “little or no progress” category. The first involves the broadening of the federal clemency power. According to the piece, President Biden has not utilized his clemency power since taking office. The inaction flies in the face of campaign promises to use the power to effectively reduce the sentences of certain nonviolent offenders. The organization’s second issue is that the Biden administration has not appropriately empowered the US Sentencing Commission. According to the Brennan Center, Biden has not appointed enough members to allow the commission to vote on reform.

However, the piece also highlights three areas where the Center feels that President Biden has made significant progress on criminal justice reform. The first includes increasing diversity in the judiciary and US Attorney’s offices. These roles have traditionally underrepresented women, minorities and individuals who have worked in defense or advocacy positions. The Brennan Center also praised Biden’s work on home confinement and investment in community violence prevention programs.