Newsletter Vol 5 No 5

May 2023

Our Pardon Project Steering Committee reached nearly every corner of the commonwealth in trying to drum up support for increasing the Board of Pardon’s budget for the next fiscal year!

We reached: 

• 800 signers, from 
• 49 counties, for a total of 
• 217 legislators reached!

Bravo! Way to make some noise. 

Pennsylvania Bar Association President Jay Silberblatt sent two strong letters supporting the elimination of criminal court fees and costs for low-income Pennsylvanians, to both the Board of Pardons and the PA Supreme Court’s Criminal Procedural Rules Committee.

In his letter to the Rules Committee, President Silberblatt notes: “(T)he policy of the Pennsylvania Bar Association since September 17, 2020, when we first submitted comments on proposed rules currently under consideration, has been and will remain strongly in favor of expanding to all litigants the In Forma Pauperis protections that are available to the indigent in civil proceedings. With the greatest respect, we urge all the Procedural Rules Committees considering those proposals and the Supreme Court to conclude their work and adopt the revised rules that are so clearly needed. Justice delayed is justice denied.”  

In his letter to the Board of Pardons, President Silberblatt reiterates the words of Past President Kathleen Wilkinson: (W)e seek the commitment that the Board will always perform its duties in ways that will not prejudice anyone because of their poverty. Put simply, indigency should never be used to slow, restrict, condition, or deny any person the ability to present their case to any tribunal that has the power to “do justice” in our Commonwealth. 

Well put, Presidents Silberblatt and Wilkinson! Thank you for raising your voices on behalf of low-income Pennsylvanians. 

The WDB this month voted unanimously in support of two very important recommendations supporting Pennsylvanians with criminal records seeking employment. The first urges the Governor to consider supporting legislation that provides immunity from civil liability from any claim arising out of an employer’s decision to hiring an individual with a criminal record, noting that “(e)mployers report that they are reluctant to hire qualified candidates with a criminal history record due to a lack of clarity regarding the employer's risk of liability for such hire and the possibility of having to defend themselves in lawsuit for having made such hire.” Such legislation would provide protection for employers and could open up thousands of jobs for Pennsylvanians who need them most. 

The second encourages the Department of State to rewrite its proposed regulations implementing Act 53 of 2020 so that Pennsylvanians who have fully completed their sentences for non-violent crimes more than seven years old and have been arrest-free since then for at least five years, their criminal histories will not be considered “directly related” to the occupational license for which they are applying by any state licensing board. Foreclosing so many well-paying, stable licensed occupations from people will criminal records stands to have devastating impact upon the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians trying to improve their career prospects to support their families. We join the Workforce Development Board in urging the Governor and Department of State to act now!

On May 9th, PLSE had a wonderful clinic at Gideon Elementary School in the Brewerytown section of the city! PLSE staffers and volunteers met with Gideon parents and staff, discussed record clearing options, and conducted intakes. 

PLSE was at the New Kensington Community Development Center on Saturday May 20th, for a busy community expungement event. NKCDC is one of PLSE’s longest-standing community partners, and a true community resource hub in the Kensington neighborhood. The turnout was terrific, and plans are underway for an ongoing PLSE presence at the new NKCDC offices- stay tuned! 

On May 17th and May 18th, the Board of Pardons met for the first round of public hearings of the year for 117 pardon applicants whose cases did not involve victims. This was the first set of public hearings with the new Board Chair, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, as well as the new Attorney General, Michelle Henry, who were joined by returning members psychiatrist Dr. John Williams, corrections expert Harris Gubernick, and victims' representative Marsha Grayson.

After lengthy questioning of most applicants about alcohol and drug use, legal financial obligations, work history, and how a pardon would improve their lives, 96 of the 117 applicants, or 82%, received the three or more votes required for their pardon applications to advance to Governor Shapiro's desk. PLSE clients did a phenomenal job answering tough questions, and three of the four were successfully recommended to the governor with all five yes votes. Kudos to the Board of Pardons staff, especially Secretary Shelley Watson, for ensuring the two days flowed smoothly, and we will be back observing the next hearings—pardon applicants whose cases involved a victim—next month on June 14th, 15th, and 16th.

PLSE leadership had a great meeting with DC33 President Ernest Garrett and his team on May 18th. PLSE and DC33 discussed the need for criminal record clearing across different communities and groups, and the ways that our collaboration can help transform that need into solutions that empower working class neighborhoods across the city. 

Check out our Board President, the Honorable Karen Y. Simmons at the annual Barristers’ Awards Gala! The Barristers have been a great pro bono partner to PLSE over the years!

Preparation is key! The public hearings can be stressful. Prepare ahead of time to make sure that you have: 

• Access to a quiet place to sit for the hearing 
• A good Internet connection
• A device with camera and microphone so you can be seen and heard

If you don’t, reach out to PLSE! Call our office ahead of time, and we’ll help make sure you have a good quiet place to attend your hearing. 

“I can’t believe this is real! When we first applied for my pardon (3 years ago), I didn’t feel sure that this would really go anywhere. I can’t believe I’m getting my hearing, and that you guys are still here working with me. Thank you!”

-A current PLSE pardon client 

Every week at our team meetings, we discuss all the amazing things different members of our team have done lately- which is always a LONG list! We want to share those amazing things with you! This month, the spotlight is shining on paralegal Victor Sotelo! Victor joined PLSE in the beginning of 2022 and has been an incredible addition to the paralegal team. A critical part of our pardon document retrieval system, Victor has taken to every new task set before him with skill and readiness, in addition to always being willing to attend a clinic, sit down with a client, or take a call. Victor has also served as a wonderful resource for our Spanish-speaking clients. Thank you, Victor- we appreciate you!