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FAMM urges Pennsylvania Board of Pardons to broaden clemency considerations

HARRISBURG – FAMM Pennsylvania State Director Celeste Trusty sent a letter today to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, urging them to broaden consideration of clemency, reflecting the desires of the public at large.

“We’re calling on the Board of Pardons to do everything within their power to provide relief to those who have been crushed by the justice system,” Trusty said. “The Board should use its current authority to broadly recommend clemency, so that the people most harmed by the justice system have a second chance at freedom.

“Each member of our Board of Pardons has the opportunity to extend the mercy and grace of commutation to the deserving. Without mercy to counterbalance the severely punitive nature of our system, we will perpetuate structures that maintain the disgraceful status quo.”

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.