Governor Signs 2,000th Pardon

August 23, 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf speaking with reporters.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

This month, Gov. Tom Wolf signed his 2,000th pardon since taking office, according to his office.

The governor, a Democrat who leaves office in January, signed his 2,000th pardon since taking office in 2015 as part of a batch of 102 pardons. Of those cases, 26 were expedited review marijuana cases.

“Pardoning more than 2,000 Pennsylvanians is one of the greatest honors of my time in office,” Wolf said in a statement. “We all deserve the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and do better tomorrow—but, oftentimes, a record prevents positive forward motion, sparking a repetitive cycle of defeat. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.”

“A pardon constitutes total forgiveness by the state for a criminal conviction, regardless of whether the sentence included time in prison, and allows for expungement of the related criminal record. Applying for a pardon is free for individuals seeking clemency — an update made during the Wolf Administration — and the application can be downloaded online. The process does not require a lawyer,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

The governor’s office said his administration has worked to modernize the pardon application process. Fees to apply are now waived.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate and is part of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, had championed the expeditated review program for non-violent marijuana-related crimes.

“History has proven that the consequences of a criminal record can change the trajectory of life for generations,” Wolf said. “With clean slates and community support, we’re empowering Pennsylvanians to own success.”

Wolf has worked to change the state’s criminal justice program. Last fall, his office said the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ incarceration rate hit its lowest level since 2001.

The governor’s office said at the time that they had taken a “comprehensive approach” to reducing the state prison population and focused on post-prison life by investing in rehabilitation and opportunities for once inmates are released.

George Little, the acting secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, credited the Wolf administration and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers for making sure less people were behind bars and prepared for reentry.

Pardon applications are available at bop.pa.gov.