ALL ABOUT THE Pardon Project OF BERKS COUNTY

BY CHRISTINA J. STEFFY | PHOTOS COURTESY THE PARDON PROJECT OF BERKS COUNTY

One in three Americans have a criminal record, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. After these individuals have repaid their debt to society, they should be given the ability to succeed and become contributing members of our community. Unfortunately, explains Vanessa Starr, development director of Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS), this is hard to do because people with a criminal record face more than 40,000 barriers to getting back on their feet. “When people say, ‘You did the crime, so do the time,’ they don’t realize that time actually never ends unless you take the necessary steps to get a pardon and get your record cleared,” she says. The Pardon Project of Berks County can help eligible people get their record cleared and move forward with their lives after they’ve served their sentences.

WHAT IS A PARDON?

A pardon is total forgiveness of your crime by the governor, and it allows your criminal record to be erased by the state, courts and FBI. After receiving a pardon, you do not need to check the “yes” box on applications asking if you have been convicted of a crime.

Those eligible for a pardon must complete an application, (which includes an essay explaining how a pardon would help the person succeed and contribute to their community) undergo background checks and have a hearing to be granted a pardon. The process takes about two years.

WHAT IS THE PARDON PROJECT OF BERKS COUNTY?

The Pardon Project of Berks County was established in 2021 after state Senator Judy Schwank learned about a statewide initiative led by Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) to streamline the pardon process. Senator Schwank worked with PLSE, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, the Berks County Bar Association and BCPS to bring this project to the county and house it in the BCPS office. Taylor Cipolla, Pardon Project Coordinator at BCPS, shares, “We’re very lucky to have the pardon support we do in Berks.” Although individuals can complete the pardon process themselves, the Pardon Project of Berks County has volunteers known as Pardon Coaches that are trained to help people submit their best application in the hopes of being granted a pardon.

HOW HAS THE PARDON PROJECT OF BERKS COUNTY HELPED PEOPLE?

The Pardon Project of Berks County assists people who reside in or who have had convictions in Berks County. It has helped more than 100 individuals since its inception; they are currently at various stages of the pardon process. Current Pardon Project clients are working to move past their convictions so they can volunteer with their children at school, obtain higher education, start their own businesses, and be hired for jobs such as a youth pastor and licensed social worker so they can help others in the community.

“Anyone can apply for a pardon. You don’t need a lawyer. Pardons are free, accessible and life-changing,” stresses Cipolla. Learn more about the Pardon Project of Berks County and pardon eligibility at berksconnections.org/ pardonprojectofberkscounty.

Learn More

Want to help change lives?

Become a Pardon Coach with one hour of free training. Learn more on the Pardon Project of Berks County website.

Economic boost. The PA Board of Pardons determined that over a 10-year period, pardons allowed an additional $16.5 million in wages to flow throughout Pennsylvania.