Today I just found out that once again being innocent of a crime will be an impediment to my being released. I am currently in the process of asking the board of pardons and the Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf to commute my sentence. Historically, the commutation process has not been hospitable to the actually Innocent. To be fair, the board wants to hear accountability, remorse and repentance from those applying for mercy. An absolute standard that should be met for the overwhelming majority for those who apply for commutation. However, those of us who are 100% innocent of the crime for which they have been convicted how do we apply for mercy? When the courts refuse to acknowledge overwhelming evidence of innocence who do the wrongfully convicted turn to? Fortunately, changes are coming to the commutation process, largely due to the leadership of the new Secretary of the board of pardons Celeste Trusty

and also, the advocacy of John Fetterman. Systemic changes that won't hold innocence as an impediment to having your sentence commuted. I learned today however that those changes have not yet trickled down to the Department of Corrections. Their practice policy and procedure is, as told to me yesterday, no matter the character of the person, no matter the history of their individual incarceration, if a proposed commutation applicant does not admit to the crime for which they stand convicted, they cannot receive DOC support. So, I have a spotless prison record, I am a hospice volunteer, a job was created for me (peer educator) by our former superintendent because of the work she witnessed done by me on behalf of others. All of my accomplishments, my behavior and my contributions are irrelevant in the eyes of those who will send either a positive or negative recommendation to the board of pardons. Innocent guilty they want a confession... prayers and please get this petition out to as many folks as possible ASAP. Thanks in advance.