Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2

February 2025

Thank you to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Reentry Partnerships and to State Rep. Danilo Burgos and his staff for hosting a record clearing clinic at The Lighthouse Community Center in Fairhill. Also, we are continually impressed and constantly grateful for the professionalism and dedication of the staff at ORP. Without these robust partnerships, our record clearing clinics would not be so successful.

Though PLSE has paused new client intakes and the scheduling of new clinics until April 1st, we remain committed to our valued community partners with whom we have previously scheduled clinics. We look forward to resuming client intakes and scheduling new clinics in the spring. If you are interested in learning about record clearing clinics in your neighborhood or would like to host a clinic in the spring, please contact PLSE Program Director Patrick Keough at keough@plsephilly.org.

The Pardon Project Steering Committee (PPSC) has grown from a local Philadelphia initiative into a statewide network of community leaders with lived experience with the criminal justice system. Members of the PPSC are committed to improving the pardon process in Pennsylvania. The first PPSC meeting took place in 2018 in a conference room at the Friends Center in Philadelphia. As of today, the PPSC has a presence in several counties across the commonwealth including Cumberland, Lancaster, Lehigh, Somerset, Lackawanna, and beyond. 

As the committee expands, so does its impact and ability to advocate for a more accessible and fair pardon process in Pennsylvania. If you have personal experience with the criminal justice system, consider joining us! Use your voice, passion and valuable experience to help make real change. If you would like more information, visit the PPSC website or contact PPSC Chair Zach Keasling (keasling@plsephilly.org) or PLSE Community Engagement Coordinator Charles Simmons (simmons@plsephilly.org). 

We want to extend our thanks and compliments to the staff of the Board of Pardons for their continued professionalism and efficiency.  

Here are the official numbers for 2024:

1. Pardon Applications Received: 2,032
2. Pardon Applications Filed: 1,988
3. Pardon Applications To Be Filed: 1,452

It’s the second year in a row that more than 2,000 applications were submitted – kudos to all of the Pardon Projects around the state whose volunteers are assisting low-income folks apply for a pardon and for setting this record. Not so long ago, fewer than 450 pardon applications were being submitted per year!

In addition, this is the first time in a very long time that the number of applications in the review process at the end of the year is less than the number of new pardon applications received. This means that there is both a reduction in the backlog and that it is now taking less than a year for pardon applications to go through the vetting process and be “filed”. Previously it was taking 14 to 16 months for applications to be filed. 

In addition, BOP staff are always prompt and thorough in answering questions sent to them via email. That is truly an amazing service that Secretary Watson has so fully supported.

Heartfelt thanks and sincerest kudos to the BOP staff for all that they do each and every day to support each and every person who comes to them seeking a second chance. We are so very lucky to have you working so diligently behind the scenes to keep hope alive. 

It takes years to get through the BOP process and end up with its recommendation and after that it is taking almost a whole year or more for the governor to get around to signing the pardons recommended to him by the Board. In December, Penn Live made public the fact that the governor had not yet made decisions on half of the clemency applications that had been recommended to him. He claims that he must personally investigate each one before making a decision even though this vetting process was already diligently undertaken by the Board. This delay prevents individuals who have worked hard to move on from past mistakes from getting better jobs, better housing, and fully contributing to their communities. 

If the governor can rebuild the I-95 bridge in 90 days, surely he can take the time to sign the pardons of qualified and vetted applicants recommended to him by the Board.

Andrea Lindsay, MSW, is Director of Strategic Initiatives at Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity. In this role, she works collaboratively with staff and community partners to develop and implement PLSE’s strategic priorities and special projects. She is the author of PLSE’s February 2021 report “Life Without Parole for Second-Degree Murder in Pennsylvania: An Objective Assessment of Sentencing” and co-author of PLSE’s April 2021 follow-up investigation into racial disparities in the same population. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Andrea previously worked as a mitigation specialist and received her Master of Social Work degree from the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, where she specialized in systems-level transformation.

1. What is your role at PLSE and how long have you been a member of the team?

I joined PLSE five years ago and have been in my role as Director of Strategic Initiatives since 2022, where I work to expand record-clearing opportunities across Pennsylvania.

2. What projects are you currently working on?

My main focus at the moment is supporting PLSE's pardon clients who are getting ready to have their public hearings in front of the Board of Pardons. I am also PLSE's main data steward, informing our strategic advocacy around the many obstacles that criminal records pose to our communities' collective wellbeing. 

3. What's your favorite thing about PLSE?

I get to be part of the best team! I work with such dedicated, fierce, and creative people, both our clients and staff alike. I love empowering clients and reminding them that their hard work began well before they ever did an intake with us.

4. What's your favorite place to grab a bite in Philly right now?

I'm always trying new places, but at heart, I'm a regular. Go to Pho 75 and get the number 12. You won't be disappointed!

Join us for an impactful evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and fundraising as we come together to support Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity and honor award-winning filmmaker Shuja Moore. The evening will feature remarks from our new Executive Director, Taylor Pacheco, Shuja Moore, and more.

The event will be on April 10th from 6PM to 8PM at the offices of Willig, Williams and Davidson, 1845 Walnut St., Suite 2400.

In lieu of ticket fees, we have decided to implement a 'pay-what-you-can' structure, and recommend making a donation of $25. Donations can be made in-person, or by clicking the button below. Thank you in advance for supporting our work.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

A very special thanks to our title sponsor, Comcast Corporation, for their support and generosity.