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    Board of Pardons

    Hearing Schedule

    The Board of Pardons holds hearings to review and vote on the cases of applicants for clemency. All hearings are held virtually. 

    Types of hearings

    • Merit review: The Board completes a preliminary evaluation of applications. The Board votes on whether the applicant should move forward to a public hearing.

    • Public hearing: The Board reviews the cases of applicants and votes to decide whether an application should be recommended to receive clemency from the Governor.
    Watch the hearing live stream

     

    PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF PARDONS PUBLIC MERIT REVIEW SESSION

    NOVEMBER 6, 2025 - 9:00 AM SESSION
     

    I. OPENING REMARKS –   HONORABLE AUSTIN DAVIS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR          

    II. CASES TO BE VOTED ON BY THE BOARD

    III. OLD BUSINESS

    Reconsideration Requests:

    • Larry Smalls was denied a public hearing at the March 6, 2025 a.m. session by a vote of 1-4. Mr. Smalls requests the Board to reconsider its decision and grant him a public hearing.

    • Gregory Lowe was denied a public hearing at the July 11, 2024 a.m. session by a vote of 0-5. Mr. Lowe requests the Board to reconsider its decision and grant him a public hearing.

    • Charles Slaughter's application was denied at the January 10, 2025 p.m. session by a vote of 1-4. Mr. Slaughter requests the Board to reconsider its decision and grant him another public hearing.

    IV. NEW BUSINESS

    V. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

    VI. ADJOURNMENT

     

    AGENDA PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF PARDONS PUBLIC HEARING SESSION

    NOVEMBER 6, 2025 3:00 PM SESSION
     

    I. OPENING REMARKS –   HONORABLE AUSTIN DAVIS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR          

    II. CASES TO BE HEARD BY THE BOARD

    1.  Robert J. Swartworth
    2.  Samuel L. Johnson
    3.  Otis H. Peterkin
    4.  David C. Rouse

    III. OLD BUSINESS

    IV. NEW BUSINESS

    V. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

    VI. ADJOURNMENT

     

    COMMONWEALTH OF THE PA BOARD OF PARDONS

    On Thursday, November 6th, 2025, at 9:00 am, the Board of Pardons will take a public vote to "merit review" 41 commutation cases (the vote whether to grant a public hearing) before adjourning.

     

    Pursuant to 18 Pa. C.S. §9125 (a)(1), all questions relating to the criminal history record information associated with the below applicants should be directed to the Board of Pardons office at bophearings@pa.gov or (717) 787-2596.

    The following application of the person convicted in Allegheny County will be heard by the Board of Pardons in a virtual session.

    Thursday, November 6, 2025 - Convening at 2:30 PM
    Robert J. Swartworth
    SCI - Huntingdon

     

    The following applications of the person convicted in Philadelphia County will be heard by the Board of Pardons in a virtual session.

    Thursday, November 6, 2025 - Convening at 2:30 PM
    David C. Rouse
    SCI - Dallas

    Otis H. Peterkin (Pete)
    SCI - Greene

    Samuel L. Johnson
    SCI - Mahanoy

     

     

     

    2025 Session Calendar

    Please note: Scheduled sessions are subject to change as deemed necessary by the Board.

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    How to watch live hearings

    Hearings are streamed live on PAcast. The live stream will begin at the start of the hearing, typically 9 a.m. 

    What to expect as an applicant

    It’s important to come prepared to your Board of Pardons hearing. We recommend that applicants review our guide to the hearing process.

    Learn how to prepare

    Frequently asked questions

    The number of cases reviewed by the Board at each hearing varies.

    Merit reviews: These sessions include hundreds of cases. The Board votes on which of the cases presented have the merit to warrant a public hearing. Although hundreds of names are called, this session is shorter because there is no case discussion.

    Public hearings: Each hearing day is broken into two sessions of roughly 20 applicants. The Board generally reviews between 35 and 50 cases during each public hearing day. Over the span of three-day public hearings, the Board will review about 140 pardon cases.

    The Board of Pardons holds approximately six merit reviews and six public hearings a year. However, this is subject to the discretion of the Board.