Gov. Wolf, Lt. Gov. Fetterman Announce Effort to Quickly Pardon Thousands of Pennsylvanians from Marijuana-Related Convictions

THE POWER OF A PARDON
A PBS digital series about formerly incarcerated individuals who served their time, the only path to redemption and chance to pursue their life's purpose is through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons

September 21, 2021: Another Chance | The Power of a Pardon Ep. 3
Gerrie has struggled in the past with criminal convictions and drug abuse. Nineteen years after leaving prison, she has been living drug-free and wants to become a business owner. With her criminal record, will Gerrie get the pardon she needs to rebuild her life?

September 14th, 2021: American Dream Interrupted | The Power of a Pardon Ep. 2
Rickie lawfully entered the United States as a Cambodian refugee. Long after having served his time in prison, he now faces deportation for his 20-year-old convictions in Pennsylvania, specifically a misdemeanor and a firearm possession for a crime he did not commit. Now, he’s waiting to see if he can get a pardon and stop living in fear of deportation.

Wednesday, September 11th 2019:
A record 21 lifers are up for commutation in PA. Does this presage a new era for the Board of Pardons?
Article: https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-board-of-pardons-lieutenant-governor-john-fetterman-commutation-life-sentence-20190910.html

Tuesday, September 10th 2019:
Large number of PA lifers up for pardons
Article: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/10/Large-number-of-Pa-lifers-up-for-pardons/stories/201909100148

Tuesday, September 10th 2019:
PA Board to hear pleas from prison lifers
Article: https://www.abc27.com/news/local/harrisburg/pa-board-to-hear-pleas-from-prison-lifers/

Monday, September 9th 2019:
As Political Tides Shift, Chances At Commutation Rise For Pennsylvania Lifers
Audio: https://cpa.ds.npr.org/wesa/audio/2019/09/commutation_an-li_herring_feature__web_.mp3
Article: https://www.wesa.fm/post/political-tides-shift-chances-commutation-rise-pennsylvania-lifers

Friday, June 28th 2019:
Historic Pa. law to automatically seal millions of criminal charges starting Friday
Article: https://whyy.org/articles/historic-pa-law-to-automatically-seal-millions-of-criminal-charges-starting-friday/
Audio: https://whyy-od.streamguys1.com/news/20190627AMSLATE3.mp3

Tuesday, June 25th 2019:
Secretary of Board of Pardons looks to make process faster, more affordable
https://www.wgal.com/article/secretary-of-board-of-pardons-looks-to-make-process-faster-more-affordable/28149826

Tuesday, June 11th 2019:
New Board of Pardons Application, Another Step to Streamlining Pardons Process

Harrisburg, PA – Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman announced Tuesday the release of a new, more user-friendly application for clemency requests before the Board of Pardons.

The Board voted to approve the new application at its May 29 meeting, and the new form hit the website yesterday.

Fetterman, who oversees the Board, has prioritized improved accessibility to pardons. In March, he announced the Board had voted to eliminate application-related fees that inhibited lower-income applicants.

"Shortening the application and improving its flow is another step to making sure this process is accessible to everyone," Fetterman said, emphasizing that people don't need an attorney to apply for a pardon. "It's our responsibility to make sure the application makes sense to the clientele we're trying to serve."

The new application includes 11 pages with instructions, replacing a 20-page form. Unlike the old application, the new form doesn't require a list of the applicant's expunged offenses.

"We recognized there were some simple changes that could make this process friendlier for applicants," said Fetterman's Deputy Chief of Staff, Shavonnia Corbin-Johnson, who oversaw the project. "The point of an expungement is to clear it from your record and not have to rehash it. A and B are not related when it comes to expunged charges and a request for clemency."

She said it can be daunting to track down records from expunged offenses, so that requirement discouraged applicants. The pardons application still requires extensive records research for other charges, but was common sense to eliminate the redundant requirement for expungements, she said.

In addition to being shorter, the new application is more approachable and employs more plain-spoken, coherent language and has a more intuitive flow than its predecessor.

Monday, June 3rd 2019:
Seeking a Second Chance
'It's a light at the end of the tunnel': Ex-offenders and lifers seek a second chance from Pa. Pardons Board.

Friday, May 24th 2019:
Effective Monday, June 3, 2019, a formal request for reconsideration must be accompanied by a Reconsideration Request Form This is prescribed by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons (BOP). From the effective date and anytime thereafter, any request that does not include a Reconsideration Request Form will be automatically rejected by the BOP.
Download Reconsideration Request Form

Tuesday, May 14th 2019:
Clinic aims to help people with criminal pasts
https://www.wgal.com/article/clinic-aims-to-help-people-with-criminal-pasts/27474281

Monday, May 13th 2019:
Secretary Brandon Flood, along with State Rep Carol Hill-Evans and others to speak at 'Pardon Me' event.
https://fox43.com/2019/05/13/york-city-council-woman-pushes-pardon-me-event/

Wednesday, May 1st 2019:
Secretary Brandon Flood joins State Representative Jordan Harris, Senator Anthony Williams, and House Speaker Bill DeWeese on witf smartTALK - Clean Slate Act, expungements, and criminal justice reform.
https://www.witf.org/smart-talk/2019/05/katie-meyer-guest-host.php.

Monday, April 28th 2019:
iHeart Radio - Ken Matthews interviews & takes calls with Brandon Flood, Secretary of the PA Board of Pardons.
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/459-ken-matthews-28220304/episode/the-ken-matthews-show-hour-3-30909575/.

Monday, April 8th 2019:
Lt. Governor Fetterman announces Brandon Flood as new Secretary of Board of Pardons.
https://www.philly.com/columnists/attytood/brandon-flood-former-inmate-pennsylvania-new-pardons-secretary-john-fetterman-20190407.html

Monday, March 17th 2019:
Our Process is Now Free
The regulation-mandated fee for pardon applications has been eliminated and will be available at no cost for those who initiate the application starting today.

Friday, March 15th 2019:
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's pardons-related fee reform unanimously approved
Read the press release here.

Monday, May 21st 2018:
As of May 21, 2018, the Board of Pardons Office will no longer operate a window service
As such, individuals will need to obtain an application for clemency by purchasing it online or through the mail. Also, completed applications can no longer be dropped off and must be mailed in to our office.