This petition is in strong support of a commutation of prison sentence for Tien Tran.

In 1982, Tien Tran and his family escaped Vietnam and arrived in the U.S. His family had dreams of a better life, but for Tien the adjustment was difficult. His family struggled financially and lived in an area filled with gangs. Unfortunately, like many young minority males, Tien began to hang out with the wrong crowds and make poor decisions. In 1995, Tien Tran and two co-defendants allowed their bad choices to become a tragic crime that resulted in a loss of life and injury. His lifestyle and his decisions would lead to a criminal conviction where Tien was sentenced to Life Without The Possibility of Parole. 

But Tien's story shouldn't have to end with his bad choices or his sentence. In fact, Tien refuses to allow that to be the totality of his narrative. First and foremost, Tien has come to terms with his past and accepts full responsibility for his role in the crime. He lives with the regret of his actions everyday, and shows his remorse with how he chooses to live while in prison. 

Currently without hope of ever coming home, Tien has nevertheless chosen to turn his life around and become a mentor and positively impact other incarcerated men around him. He has left the gang life behind, and instead fills his time with positive programs, and opportunities to give back. Tien is in enrolled in college, is a dog trainer with the Paws For Life dog training program where he helps train and place dogs that were otherwise slated for euthanasia. He mentors young men that are new to the prison system, encouraging them to make good decisions from the very beginning. Tien is also a member of the Catholic community, and recognizes the importance of amends making.

If you believe people are capable of change and deserve second chances, please help alter Tien's future by giving him hope to one day come home to his family. Give him the chance to show his change, and afford him the opportunity to impact the community in the right ways.

By signing this petition you are not absolving Tien of his crime. A commutation does not result in Tien's automatic release. He will still have to prove he is deserving to a parole board and earn his suitability.

As a community, when we sign this petition we indicate that all beings should have hope, and that we believe redemption is possible. Please sign.