Candidate Shapiro claimed he would create “a criminal justice system that both keeps our communities safe and enforces the law in a fair and consistent manner.” But Governor Shapiro has only signed off on three commutation applications since taking office – one twentieth the number that Wolf signed in the same amount of time, and one thirtieth of the number signed in the 1970s.  

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons (BOP)  is the only avenue for second chances available to people serving Life Without Parole (otherwise known as Death By Incarceration, or DBI) and other inhumanely long “virtual life” sentences. Candidate Shapiro promised “common sense, comprehensive criminal justice reform.” Despite controlling the appointments of three of the Board’s five members, Governor Shapiro has let the Board of Pardons once again become a “Board of Perpetual Punishment.”

Governor Shapiro is playing politics with lives. His Board of Pardons does not offer a meaningful chance for people who have put in the hard work of self-transformation to finally come home. Pennsylvanians deserve better! We demand that Governor Shapiro get his Board of Pardons back on track!

1. Governor Shapiro must pressure the Board of Pardons to recommend more meritorious applicants for commutation.

Once recommended by the BOP, Gov. Shapiro must sign off on commutation applications in a timely manner—not leave them sitting on his desk, or worse, send them back to the BOP.

2. Governor Shapiro must appoint the best people for the job. 

The BOP has five members, three of whom are appointed by the governor. The appointees must be qualified, be familiar with communities most impacted by incarceration, and have a firm commitment to second chances.

The appointment and confirmation process of board members must be transparent and meaningfully engage the public.

3. Governor Shapiro must use his power to make the Board of Pardons processes more transparent, fair, and just for incarcerated people, victim’s families, and their communities.

For example, The Board must provide a written reason for their decisions, based on clear criteria. Without this there is no accountability or transparency why the board is making decisions. 

To read more policy reform suggestions and to get involved: commutationnow.com