The Ladies of Hope Ministries ( The LOHM) is seeking reformative justice regarding restitution. Restitution has created a life sentence for many returning citizens. We are all aware of the ways legal financial obligations can result in a “debtors prison” that continues to shackle women to the system well after they are finished serving a sentence. They are unable to purchase homes, cars, and insurance. This also affects their ability to obtain bank accounts and credit cards—these barriers to reentry cause detrimental financial and psychological effects on these women and their families. Many of the women’s convictions were based on the mortgage meltdown of 2008. While the banks and executives received bailouts, civil fines, and minor penalties, the government determined that there were billions of dollars of restitution to be paid by these women. 

Remission is a remedy to relieve the burden of restitution. This is the type of clemency that the President of the United States has the power to grant and is rarely used. Prior to Harry S. Truman, remission power was frequently used. Since 1945, only 33 remission petitions have been granted according to the DOJ website.

The LOHM in partnership with REFORM Alliance Launches the #RemissionNow Campaign to kickstart reformative legislation to end the life-long sentence in the form of restitution.