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Biden pardons 2 South Carolina women in largest single-day act of clemency

President Joe Biden speaks at the White House Conference on Women's Health Research from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Susan Walsh/AP
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AP
President Joe Biden speaks at the White House Conference on Women's Health Research from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

In the remaining weeks of his presidency, President Joe Biden on Dec. 12, 2024, reduced the prison sentences of 1,499 people and approved 39 pardons. Two South Carolina women are on the president's clemency recipient list.

In the remaining weeks left in his presidency, President Joe Biden on Thursday reduced the prison sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent crimes, including two women from South Carolina.

It is the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

"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 offenses," Biden said in a statement Thursday.

Now in their 40s, the White House said Gaffney's Denita Nicole Parker and Columbia's Shawnte Dorothea Williams both pleaded to non-violent offenses while in their 20s.

Parker, now 43, is mom of two and works full time, while also volunteering with a charitable organization that delivers meals to people at least two to three times per month, the White House said in a short biography of Parker. The White House added Parker has since started a program with her husband that feeds 100 families, and she donates to the homeless and buys holiday gifts for children in her area.

"Friends, work associates, and neighbors describe Mrs. Parker as law-abiding, trustworthy, dependable, and dedicated person," the White House said.

Williams, now 45, pleaded guilty to a non-violent drug offense in her 20s.

Now, the White House said in its biography of Williams, she is employed, works in her church's food pantry and is a greeter at her church on Sundays.

"Williams has been described by those who know her as a loyal and dependable community member," the White House said.

The White House said the nearly 1,500 commutations are people who served their sentences at home for at least a year during the COVID-19 pandemic, and who have rejoined their families.

Biden's clemency announcement follows the controversial pardon of his son, Hunter, who was prosecuted for gun and tax charges.

Biden said in his Thursday statement he intends to take more steps in the weeks ahead.

"My administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances," he said.

Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter) is a news reporter with South Carolina Public Radio and ETV. She worked at South Carolina newspapers for a decade, previously working as a reporter and then editor of The State’s S.C. State House and politics team, and as a reporter at the Aiken Standard and the Greenville News. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville in 2013.