HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is making it easier for deserving individuals to earn a second chance, by launching a fully online application for clemency, as well as a new Spanish-language application, developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience Pennsylvania (CODE PA).
“After hearing from nearly 1,500 pardon applicants over the past two-plus years, I’ve seen how many of these folks have worked hard to turn their lives around, make amends and are now contributing positively to their communities,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who serves as chair of the Board of Pardons. “They’re fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles – and many of them have earned a second chance and a clean slate moving forward. At the Board of Pardons, we’ve been working hard, too, to make the clemency application process more transparent and more accessible, and today’s announcement is the culmination of months of work across our Administration. I’m proud of Board Secretary Shelley Watson, the Board of Pardons staffers and the CODE PA team that brought this project over the finish line.”
Click here to view a video announcing the new online pardon application.
Ahead of the online application’s launch, the Board added a new, fillable PDF application to their website in May, as well as a PDF application in Spanish. The Board’s website, including the online application form, can be translated into 17 other languages by clicking the “Translate” button at the top of any PA.gov page. The Board will work with a translation company to process applications in other languages.
“The online application is a significant milestone for CODE PA and the Board of Pardons as we work together to modernize the office and make the process more accessible, streamlined, and empathetic,” said Bry Pardoe, Executive Director of CODE PA. “The goal of every CODE PA project is to make getting what you need from the Commonwealth faster and easier, and we’re proud to support the Board of Pardons in helping more people pursue this potentially life-changing second chance opportunity.”
The Board is also making behind-the-scenes updates that will streamline processing applications, including using AI to analyze hand-written applications, which were previously retyped by staffers.
"In my experience, individuals can unfortunately face barriers to submitting an application such as not being able to print documents or not being able to mail the application for submission,” said Megan Reinprecht, staff attorney for Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. “An online application will help some individuals overcome these barriers and make the process more accessible."
Since the Lieutenant Governor took office and became chair, the Board has recommended more than 1,000 pardon applications to the Governor.
As part of the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s commitment to making Pennsylvania a place for second chances, the Lieutenant Governor has taken action to improve the clemency process.
- In December 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed “Clean Slate” legislation that included language proposed by the Lieutenant Governor to streamline the process for pardoned Pennsylvanians to clear their criminal records.
- In July 2023, the Board of Pardons expanded its “expedited review” process for pardon applicants to make it more efficient, providing applicants with a clear and transparent process to follow. Starting this year, applicants do not need to request expedited review; Board staff automatically review all applications for eligibility.
- In the 2023-24 state budget, the Shapiro-Davis Administration invested $355,000 into a dedicated clemency unit within the Department of Corrections to address a backlog of applications for pardons and commutations.