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the pardon project Working Group
This page is devoted to the Pardon Project Working Group. The Pardon Project, an initiative launched by the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity in 2019 that has enormous potential to improve people's lives and the well-being of communities, is now active in at least seven counties in Pennsylvania. Our goal is to bring the Pardon Project to Lebanon County, and we invite your participation and help.
about the pardon project
Background
No sense reinventing the wheel. Pasted below is the introductory text of the homepage of the "Statewide Pardon Project" of the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, at https://www.plsephilly.org/pardon-project-statewide/
"Second Chances
"Across the United States, 1 of 3 adults has a criminal record, and 1 of every 2 children has a parent with a criminal record.
"Those histories are keeping people – our neighbors – from better jobs, trades, educations, housing, health care, volunteering in their communities, and more. They are keeping families – and whole neighborhoods – in poverty.
"People change. Records don’t.
"It’s time we stopped letting history hold us back! Across the country, people are now agreeing: If you paid your debt to society, you should be allowed to work.
"In Pennsylvania, it’s been proven that there are millions of dollars to be had, just by allowing people to leave their pasts behind and compete for jobs they are qualified for.
"The way is simple – a pardon from the Governor – and you don’t need money, connections or even a lawyer to get a pardon in Pennsylvania!
"Since 2019, Pennsylvania has been leading the country in pardon reform. Our Governor has issued almost 2,000 pardons — not to the rich and well-connected, but to people like you and me; and the Board of Pardons (which has to review and recommend people before the Governor can act) has been approving almost 9 out of every 10 pardon applications they hear.
"As a result of the reforms, community leaders are coming together in counties all across Pennsylvania to form Pardon Projects, like they just did in Reading (Berks County). Neighbors are learning – in just one hour – about the pardon process and how to complete the free pardon application in the best possible way to show how they’ve changed and deserve a second chance. . . .
"Together we can bring real hope and better futures to tens of thousands of low-income Pennsylvanians and their families who have earned a second chance!"
Image from "Pardon Projects" by López & Pacheco (2022), a very informative article linked below.