An Official Pennsylvania Government Website
  •  

October 16, 2023 - Harrisburg, PA

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Backs House Speaker Joanna McClinton's Legislation to Improve Commutations Process

As part of the Shapiro-Davis Administration's commitment to making Pennsylvania a place for second chances, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis today endorsed House Speaker Joanna McClinton's constitutional amendment to update the commutations process.



Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kevin Butler, Philadelphia Gray Panthers, joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kevin Butler, Philadelphia Gray Panthers, joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_012.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kevin Butler, Philadelphia Gray Panthers, joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kevin Butler, Philadelphia Gray Panthers, joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> FAMM Policy Associate Bryan Widenhouse Kinsey joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> FAMM Policy Associate Bryan Widenhouse Kinsey joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> FAMM Policy Associate Bryan Widenhouse Kinsey joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> FAMM Policy Associate Bryan Widenhouse Kinsey joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_018.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> FAMM Policy Associate Bryan Widenhouse Kinsey joins Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Speaker Joanna McClinton, advocates, and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_019.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and House Speaker Joanna McClinton join advocates and impacted individuals to back House Bill 1410, legislation that would improve the commutations process, empower each member of the Board of Pardons, and allow for meritorious applicants to have a greater opportunity for a second chance. . .House Bill 1410 would require a majority vote of the Board of Pardons, rather than the current requirement of a unanimous vote, to recommend an application for commutation to the Governor in cases of life sentences. For other sentences and for pardon applicants, the process only requires a majority of the five board members to vote for recommendation. The unanimous vote requirement was a change made in the 1990s; prior to that, it was uniform for pardons and commutations..<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/23899_LG_HouseBill1410ERD_020.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>