It is "especially disappointing" that the Biden administration has not made more progress on criminal justice reform during its first year in office, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's law school says in a new report. Biden promised during his campaign to "reform our criminal justice system.” but Brennan concludes that "some progress has been made — but significant missed opportunities remain.. Focusing on corrections issues, the center says that little or no progress has been made on overhauling the federal clemency process or revitalizing the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
The report says there have been "limited policy changes" implementing the 2018 First Step act and improving the Bureau of Prisons, eliminating the federal death penalty and limiting federal use of private, for-profit prisons and detention centers. Brennan cites "notable progress" in expanding use of federal home confinement for convicts, nominating U.S. Attorneys and federal judges and "commitment to funding community anti-violence programs.: The center notes that as of Jan. 10, there were more than 18,400 clemency petitions awaiting presidential action. Brennan says Biden should expand the Community Violence Intervention Collaborative beyond its set, 18-month period and locations and adds, "There should be opportunities for changes if organizations feel that their needs are not being met."