Indianapolis woman pardoned by Pres. Biden

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis woman is among the 39 pardons granted Thursday by President Joe Biden.

A list released by The White House named Emily Good Nelson as one of the pardon recipients.

The Biden Administration announcement listed Good Nelson as a 39-year-old woman convicted of non-violent drug offenses 20 years ago.

It also notes that since her release from prison, Good Nelson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and now works in the health care field in Indiana.

“She has spoken publicly about drug use and has volunteered as a counselor at an in-patient psychiatric facility,” Pres. Biden noted in the pardon. “She is described as kind, committed to recovery and helping others, and as someone with tremendous talent and ability.”

On Thursday, Biden also commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.

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

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “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.”