Background: Pres. Biden’s “Kids-for-Cash” Commutation

I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising and prominent Democratic governor, on President Biden’s commutation of a judge known for a “kids-for-cash” scandal.

Why It Matters: Pres. Biden granted clemency to a historic number of Americans in a single day to people “who have shown successful rehabilitation and a strong commitment to making their communities safer.” The clemency included pardons and commutations (the shortening of a sentence), including for a judge in Pennsylvania known for a “kids-for-cash” scandal. The judge, Michael Conahan, was found guilty in 2011 of sending minors to for-profit detention centers in exchange for payment; he collected millions of dollars for this crime. At the time of his commutation, he had served multiple years in prison and was serving home confinement.

Something To Consider: The U.S. attorney at the time called the scandal “the worst in Pennsylvania’s history.” Conahan was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison in addition to almost $1 million in fines.

Read More: Biden granted clemency to the ‘kids-for-cash’ judge. The White House didn’t consider the case specifics. (Politico)

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Clemency for Nearly 1,500 Americans (White House)