I received the following letter today from the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Herein are the highlights"
"This letter is to inform you that your clemency application has been filed by the Board of Pardons.
Please be advised that agents from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole conduct investigations for the Board of Pardons. ...you will be contacted by a Parole Agent to arrange a meeting in your home...
As soon as all pertinent information has been compiled, the application will then be reviewed by each Board member, and a public vote will be taken to determine if you will be granted a public hearing. You will be notified of the results of the Board's review.
Please be advised that the clemency process is very lengthy and complex. It currently takes approximately three (3) years to complete..."
And so the wheels of a government agency slowly begin to grind. It took nearly two months to get to this point, but the fact that the application has been filed is good. At least I got the initial paperwork right. I wonder how many applications don't make muster in this first step? Anyway, I will wait for the next step and so on and so on, looking forward to each one to hopefully come to positive resolution.
The fact is the main purpose for this was employment issues with background checks and even places where I am currently prohibited from working for having a felony conviction. By the time the process is complete and a Pardon is granted I will be 68-years-old. I am not sure how to express my view regarding the initial goal being relevant at that point, but I can tell you that I want this Pardon nonetheless.
I didn't think it would be a three (3) year process and was thinking more like one year. Government agencies I guess don't move at breakneck speed. With my application I provided many attachments to be reviewed and considered. I suspect that most if not all of these will be checked to verify authenticity and gather more information. I welcome that because I have nothing to hide.
Taking it all into consideration, I reiterate that I really want this Pardon. I want the state of Pennsylvania to review my application, look at who I am as a person right now today. Isn't that what this is about? I also want the Board to look at my past lifestyle and recognize that it is not, and never has been, a lifestyle of criminal thinking and intent.
This of course would involve having them believe that the likely hood of my ever acting out again is basically non-existent. I word it that way because is there ever really a "never" for anything in life. I can believe in myself that the actions I took will not happen again but the Board has to evaluate it from the perspective that if it happened once it could happen again. I get that.
I will do the interviews, answer the questions, jump through the hoops, etc. and in three years I want the governor of the state of Pennsylvania to grant this Pardon to me which in effect says I recognize that you are a good person. I am doing and will continue to do all the right things to earn this. This may be melodramatic, but in the end I want my children and grandchildren to be proud of a father and grandfather who does not have the label of ex-offender attached to him in the fine print and in the eyes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Keep you posted, but it will probably be a while.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Excessive Sentencing
By Steve Gordon
The following letter to the editor to the Vietnam Veterans of America magazine appeared in the January/February 2012 issue:
"A grassroots movement is underway to dismantle Missouri's 85 percent mandatory minimum sentencing laws on first-time offenders, a law that affects many veterans, is unjust, and is an unnecessary tax burden on Missouri citizens.
There is a petition to get it on the ballot for revision as soon as possible. This petition can be endorsed by anyone of voting age in any state. In no way are we attempting to minimize the acts for which these men and women have been responsible. However, administering nearly a life sentence in first-time non-homicide cases - and even in some cases of non-injury - and to have no incentive for rehabilitation is truly counterproductive to everything out nation stands for.
We have endorsements from a multitude of lawmakers for this change, and the NAACP and Missouri CURE are devoting their resources to revamp this policy. This is not a "get out of jail free card." It is for first-time violent offenders who have completed positive behavioral programs and have remarkable institution records. These men and women were caught up in the "get tough on crime" one-upmanship of political campaign promotions. The proposed change will lower the basic mandatory minimum of 85 percent for first-time offenders to 50 percent mandatory sentencing - based on past and current behavior, personal rehabilitation, and parole board discretion.
Information on the petition can be found on the Missouri CURE website, http://www.mocure.org/. If you wish to contact the CURE concerning this information, call 877-525-2873 or email missouricure@hotmail.com."
George Kniest
Jefferson City, Missouri
Here in Pennsylvania there was a belief when I was in prison only a few years ago that there is an 80 percent rule but the authorities and the Pennsylvania Parole Board deny this. Even in the face of this non-existent rule the feeling went that the Parole Board used its discretion in the matter.
In cases like mine, I completed all the required programs and more, had no misconducts, and had a job, got good work, housing and program reports that resulted in having full institution support for parole five times, and I was denied parole five times. There were other similar cases I knew of while incarcerated.
It would seem the Pennsylvania Parole Board overstepped its use of discretion. Of course there are two side to that story and they can be arugued forever without resolution. As for Missouri, this would be a positive start to prison reform that is sorely needed across the nation even as I have an issue regarding allowing discretion.
Our nations prisons are overcrowded. The prisons in Pennsylvania are so overcrowded the state has taken to housing prisoners in county prisons and also other states at a great expense. From experience I can tell you that there are a great many people in prison, even violent offenders, who do not need to be there.
Don't get me wrong, some people belong in prison. Their behavior has shown them to be a danger to the community so these people need to remain in custody for the safe guard of society as much as for their own safety. As bad as some are, no one should be put at risk of injury or death and the lifestyle these people choose subject them to that.
I only received the VVA magazine today and I haven't had time to look up the statistics, but I do know that past statistics did not have the Keystone State in good standing in regard to the number of people in prison and the time they spend in prison. It is a list of states in statistics that you want to be on the bottom of. Pennsylvania was on the top.
But this is getting off track. The point I want to make is that prison reform is needed and talk about it needs to be acted on. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett just slashed the budget in regard to money for education for a state in debt. The Philadelphia Public School system is restricting use of the schools to save money. Why can't we reform the prison system, mandatory sentencing, and Parole Board discretion and take the money saved and put it back into education?
My final word is a call for across the board flat sentencing. To the state legislatures I suggest that they act on reform and stop talking about it.
The following letter to the editor to the Vietnam Veterans of America magazine appeared in the January/February 2012 issue:
"A grassroots movement is underway to dismantle Missouri's 85 percent mandatory minimum sentencing laws on first-time offenders, a law that affects many veterans, is unjust, and is an unnecessary tax burden on Missouri citizens.
There is a petition to get it on the ballot for revision as soon as possible. This petition can be endorsed by anyone of voting age in any state. In no way are we attempting to minimize the acts for which these men and women have been responsible. However, administering nearly a life sentence in first-time non-homicide cases - and even in some cases of non-injury - and to have no incentive for rehabilitation is truly counterproductive to everything out nation stands for.
We have endorsements from a multitude of lawmakers for this change, and the NAACP and Missouri CURE are devoting their resources to revamp this policy. This is not a "get out of jail free card." It is for first-time violent offenders who have completed positive behavioral programs and have remarkable institution records. These men and women were caught up in the "get tough on crime" one-upmanship of political campaign promotions. The proposed change will lower the basic mandatory minimum of 85 percent for first-time offenders to 50 percent mandatory sentencing - based on past and current behavior, personal rehabilitation, and parole board discretion.
Information on the petition can be found on the Missouri CURE website, http://www.mocure.org/. If you wish to contact the CURE concerning this information, call 877-525-2873 or email missouricure@hotmail.com."
George Kniest
Jefferson City, Missouri
Here in Pennsylvania there was a belief when I was in prison only a few years ago that there is an 80 percent rule but the authorities and the Pennsylvania Parole Board deny this. Even in the face of this non-existent rule the feeling went that the Parole Board used its discretion in the matter.
In cases like mine, I completed all the required programs and more, had no misconducts, and had a job, got good work, housing and program reports that resulted in having full institution support for parole five times, and I was denied parole five times. There were other similar cases I knew of while incarcerated.
It would seem the Pennsylvania Parole Board overstepped its use of discretion. Of course there are two side to that story and they can be arugued forever without resolution. As for Missouri, this would be a positive start to prison reform that is sorely needed across the nation even as I have an issue regarding allowing discretion.
Our nations prisons are overcrowded. The prisons in Pennsylvania are so overcrowded the state has taken to housing prisoners in county prisons and also other states at a great expense. From experience I can tell you that there are a great many people in prison, even violent offenders, who do not need to be there.
Don't get me wrong, some people belong in prison. Their behavior has shown them to be a danger to the community so these people need to remain in custody for the safe guard of society as much as for their own safety. As bad as some are, no one should be put at risk of injury or death and the lifestyle these people choose subject them to that.
I only received the VVA magazine today and I haven't had time to look up the statistics, but I do know that past statistics did not have the Keystone State in good standing in regard to the number of people in prison and the time they spend in prison. It is a list of states in statistics that you want to be on the bottom of. Pennsylvania was on the top.
But this is getting off track. The point I want to make is that prison reform is needed and talk about it needs to be acted on. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett just slashed the budget in regard to money for education for a state in debt. The Philadelphia Public School system is restricting use of the schools to save money. Why can't we reform the prison system, mandatory sentencing, and Parole Board discretion and take the money saved and put it back into education?
My final word is a call for across the board flat sentencing. To the state legislatures I suggest that they act on reform and stop talking about it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Pardon Me
by Steve Gordon
I have not written on this site for a long time. I have been wrapped up in getting things back together and writing on a golf related blog and working. Yes, I found a job even if it is a minimum wage part-time job doing prep work and related jobs in the kitchen of the Chick-fil-A in Newtown, PA.
But I am not writing about that. I applied for a Pardon last fall. It is as the letter accepting my application described "a lengthy process." I have to state up front that I am not looking for absolution for my offense. What I am looking for is to clear my record for background checks.
This is a big deal for anyone trying to enter the job market these days. Jobs are hard enough to find let alone being labeled as as ex-offender and going against similar or higher qualified people who do not have a criminal record. And here is a new insult. I wanted to sign up to be a volunteer worker at the Merion Golf Club for the 2013 US Open golf tournament but I couldn't because you have to pass a background check.
I recently got a letter from the Board of Pardons for some more detailed information. I filled out the information they asked for and returned the original and five (5) copies as requested. Next step is for the application (and the numerous inclusions I provided) is to be reviewed positively and have a public hearing scheduled. For this all the authorities and victims would be notified and would be given the opportunity to provide their thoughts.
This pardon is a long way from being approved and sent to the governor's desk to be signed. I just wanted to put this out there and urge anyone who does not have a long record of criminal behavior to apply for a Pardon. Worst case scenario is they say no and nothing lost. Best case would be to have the Pardon granted and be given a clean slate to compete in the job market and other things.
Do it.
I have not written on this site for a long time. I have been wrapped up in getting things back together and writing on a golf related blog and working. Yes, I found a job even if it is a minimum wage part-time job doing prep work and related jobs in the kitchen of the Chick-fil-A in Newtown, PA.
But I am not writing about that. I applied for a Pardon last fall. It is as the letter accepting my application described "a lengthy process." I have to state up front that I am not looking for absolution for my offense. What I am looking for is to clear my record for background checks.
This is a big deal for anyone trying to enter the job market these days. Jobs are hard enough to find let alone being labeled as as ex-offender and going against similar or higher qualified people who do not have a criminal record. And here is a new insult. I wanted to sign up to be a volunteer worker at the Merion Golf Club for the 2013 US Open golf tournament but I couldn't because you have to pass a background check.
I recently got a letter from the Board of Pardons for some more detailed information. I filled out the information they asked for and returned the original and five (5) copies as requested. Next step is for the application (and the numerous inclusions I provided) is to be reviewed positively and have a public hearing scheduled. For this all the authorities and victims would be notified and would be given the opportunity to provide their thoughts.
This pardon is a long way from being approved and sent to the governor's desk to be signed. I just wanted to put this out there and urge anyone who does not have a long record of criminal behavior to apply for a Pardon. Worst case scenario is they say no and nothing lost. Best case would be to have the Pardon granted and be given a clean slate to compete in the job market and other things.
Do it.
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