How The ‘Violent Felon’ Label Can Unfairly Brand People for Life
Politicians often vilify so-called violent criminals. But the “violent felon” label can mean someone committed anything from a murder to a purse-snatching or verbal threat—and doesn’t line up with what science tells us about violence.
Tana Ganeva Feb 28, 2023
The Pandemic Spurred Governors to Grant Clemency, But Advocates Say It Isn’t Enough
Despite sentencing reforms, hundreds of thousands of people who have been incarcerated over the last several decades are ineligible for parole.
Rachel M. Cohen May 24, 2021
California Governor Commutes Sentence of Abuse Survivor, Grants Clemency to Several Others
Advocates have been urging Governor Gavin Newsom to make greater use of his clemency power, especially for older prisoners who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Meg O'Connor, Joshua Vaughn Mar 12, 2021
Virginia Bans Mental Health Evidence in Trials. Lawmakers Could Soon Change This
Proposed legislation would allow people accused of crimes to tell juries if they had a mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, or an intellectual or developmental disability at the time of a crime. The bill could have helped individuals like Matthew Rushin.
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Feb 24, 2021
Biden Must Fix The Broken Executive Clemency Process. This Is Who He Should Select To Lead That Effort.
Rachel Barkow, a respected legal scholar, expert on executive clemency, and former clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia would be an ideal choice to start and lead a powerful new program inside the Biden White House.
Emily Galvin-Almanza Dec 01, 2020
Nearly 200 Pardons Languish on Pennsylvania Governor’s Desk
The state Board of Pardons recommended last year that hundreds of people’s criminal records be cleared. Months later, more than half are still waiting for Tom Wolf’s signature.
Joshua Vaughn Aug 17, 2020
A Rarely Used Power Could Free Prisoners in Pennsylvania. But the Governor Is Not Using It.
The Office of General Counsel determined that the governor could likely use reprieves to release vulnerable people from prison to control COVID-19’s spread, but the office is advising against it, according to internal emails obtained by The Appeal.
Joshua Vaughn Mar 31, 2020
About That Trump Super Bowl Ad
Spotlights like this one provide original commentary and analysis on pressing criminal justice issues of the day. You can read them each day in our newsletter, The Daily Appeal. It was no secret that President Trump was planning to run an ad during the Super Bowl this year; the question was only what the particular message […]
Sarah Lustbader Feb 04, 2020
Georgia To Execute A Man For A Crime That No Longer Gets The Death Penalty
On Thursday, the state of Georgia is set to execute a 58-year-old man for a crime that would not receive the death penalty today. Jimmy Meders was convicted of murder and sentenced to die for the October 1987 killing of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. His lawyers want the state parole board to […]
Sarah Lustbader Jan 15, 2020
Illinois pardons are a reminder of the scale of marijuana arrests, past and present
On the eve of the state’s marijuana legalization law going into effect, Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois announced that he would issue 11,017 pardons to people with low-level marijuana convictions.
Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 03, 2020
Misplaced Outrage Over Kentucky Governor’s Pardons Harms Criminal Justice Reform
Sensational headlines may score short-term partisan points, but long term they contribute to a toxic culture of Willie Hortonism.
Adam H. Johnson Dec 20, 2019
Justice in America Episode 18: What Happened to Clemency?
Josie and Clint talk to NYU law professor Rachel Barkow about presidential pardon powers.
Josie Duffy Rice, Clint Smith Mar 06, 2019
California Governor Jerry Brown is Fighting Trump With Pardons. Will Other Governors Follow Suit?
The departing governor has chosen to pardon immigrants whose past criminal offenses put them in danger of deportation.
Melissa Gira Grant Nov 29, 2018