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The Brennan Center for Justice published a report<\/a> Monday examining the Biden administration\u2019s progress on criminal justice reform. The Brennan Center, a progressive and reform-minded organization, was lukewarm in their assessment. The piece divides Bidens\u2019s policies throughout his first year as president into three categories: \u201clittle or no progress,\u201d \u201climited policy changes\u201d and \u201cnotable progress.\u201d<\/p>\n The piece primarily compares statements made during President Biden\u2019s campaign to the administration\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Two main issue areas are included in the \u201clittle or no progress\u201d 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<\/a> to use the power to effectively reduce the sentences of certain nonviolent offenders. The organization\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s offices. These roles have traditionally underrepresented women, minorities and individuals who have worked in defense or advocacy positions. The Brennan Center also praised Biden\u2019s work on home confinement and investment in community violence prevention programs.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n