Pennsylvania

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM praises Gov. Tom Wolf for signing commutations 

HARRISBURG – FAMM Pennsylvania State Policy Director Celeste Trusty released the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf signed commutations for a group of people who had been supported by the Board of Pardons.

FAMM had urged Gov. Wolf to sign the commutations quickly after Bruce Norris, whose case had been supported by the Board of Pardons, died awaiting approval of his commutation.

“We are grateful to Gov. Wolf for signing these commutations, and reuniting these families,” Trusty said. “Going forward, we are hopeful that the Governor’s office will improve the process for reviewing and signing commutations that receive Board approval. Bruce Norris’ passing while awaiting approval from the Governor is something that should never happen again.”

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.