Pardon / Commutation

In conjunction with National Capital Crime Assistance Network, created the National Clemency Guidance Program to assist inmates and their families in applying for commutations/pardons.

Our purpose is to assist inmates in preparing Applications for Pardon/Commutations. Our Goal is to provide support and an alternative remedy through the pardon/commutation process for inmates who have exhausted their judicial remedies. We will give first priority to:

Inmates who have strong claims of Innocence, whether by proof of egregious police and/or prosecutorial misconduct.
Inmates who have strong self-defense claims or who were convicted of aiding and abetting but have proof that they had no direct involvement in the crime or its planning.

The Screening Process

The Inmate would be responsible for completing and mailing APA and NCCAN the MDOC Application for Pardon or Commutation of Sentence form and providing all the relevant supporting materials.
The cost for the screening process is $250.00 to read, review, scan, and digitize.
Each application and any exhibits or supporting document cannot exceed 50 pages.
If the application passes the screening process, it will be accepted by APA and NCCAN for further investigation, research, and consideration for submission to those responsible for recommending approval of Applications for Pardon/Commutations to the Governor’s desk.
If the application passes the screening process NCCAN and APA will determine whether providing a private investigator or an attorney will substantially aid the applicant’s chances of success.
If the application is rejected after the screening process, notice will be promptly provided to the applicant. No materials will be returned. The applicant is responsible for maintaining original copies of all records sent to NCCAN/APA.
To pass the screening process, the applicant must submit:
1. clear statement of facts explaining why s/he should be granted a commutation/pardon (see MDOC Application for Pardon/Commutation, paragraph 5, where it states, “Briefly explain why you should be granted a pardon or commutation”). View here
2. good institutional record (e.g., certificates of completion for Thinking For A Change, Chance For Life, Cage And Rage, Conflict Resolution, or College Courses)
3. no serious misconduct reports in last five years (e.g., assaults, possession of dangerous contraband, possession of drugs, etc.).
4. crime cannot involve depravity, harm to children, elderly, police or other aggravated circumstance.
5. must have family or community support (i.e., housing, employment and post-prison plan)

Anyone may make a request. NCCAN/APA cannot guarantee results but will try to build a system of trust and confidence in our pardon/commutation process. We will do all we can in our combined efforts to put cases on the Governor’s desk that require a serious look. We hope to bring justice and effectiveness to the pardon and commutation process, and hope you will join us.

Applicants Responsibilities

Agree to correspond by Jpay.
Agree to answer all questions within a reasonable amount of time.
Agree to provide all requested documentation in a reasonable amount of time.
Agree to keep original copies of all materials that you send to NCCAN/APA
Agree not to send NCCAN/APA any materials unless we specifically request them.
Agree that NCCAN/APA cannot guarantee results.

President George W. Bush said, during his 2004 State of the Union Address,

“America is the land of second chances, and when the gates of prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” In a speech to the American Bar Association in 2003, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said, “The ABA should consider a recommendation to reinvigorate the pardon process at the state and federal levels. The pardon process, of late, seems to have been drained of its moral force. Pardons have become infrequent. A people confident in its laws and institutions should not be ashamed of mercy.”

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