Pennsylvania

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

FAMM urges Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to immediately sign commutations recommended to him by Board of Pardons

HARRISBURG – FAMM Pennsylvania State Policy Director Celeste Trusty sent a letter today to Governor Tom Wolf urging him to sign the commutations recommended to him by the Board of Pardons. The letter comes after Bruce Norris, whose case had been supported by the Board of Pardons, died Saturday awaiting his commutation.

“Bruce’s death was an entirely preventable tragedy — he didn’t even catch COVID-19 until after his commutation was supported by the Board of Pardons,” Trusty said. “The Governor’s office must streamline the process of reviewing and approving commutations after the Board approves them. This should never have happened, and letting it happen again would be unconscionable.”

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.