The meeting room at City Hall in New Haven, CT was abuzz with chatter on a recent November morning. Waiting for the session to begin were 25 members of the community. They were not the city’s board of alderpersons, nor were they visiting dignitaries, This excited group was comprised entirely of citizens who at one point in their lives were convicted of a crime, and who were determined to move forward by getting their criminal record expunged. Welcome to the Pardon Training Workshop, provided by the City of New Haven Reentry Initiative (NHRI).
As Amy Meek, the NHRI Director, called the meeting to order, a hush fell over the crowd. Meek began telling the group that the procedure to request a pardon was long and intensive, and that after all that hard work, that golden ticket, an expungement, might not be granted. She also explained that every state has their rules regarding pardons, and that this informative session applies only to seeking a pardon in Connecticut, and does not pertain to federal crimes.
When asked by a participant how many pardons were granted, Meek explained that out of 1,000 applications, approximately 25% were actually granted. The high spirit in the room suddenly seemed deflated, as an almost palatable sense of disappointment filled the air. That’s when Tirzah Kemp, spoke up.
Kemp, who also works at the NHRI, told those assembled that the purpose of this training was to provide information that would help each individual put together their best possible pardon application. Kemp added that even if the original application is initially denied, a person should not give up on seeking a pardon. Believing in yourself, and not being defined by a past mistake, was the message delivered at the training.
The majority of people with criminal histories are eligible to get their criminal history expunged. Those convicted of crimes involving murder, serious assault or sex offenses could apply for a pardon, but the likelihood of getting one is negligible.
Meek explained that Connecticut offers two types of pardons:
An expungement, which erases a person’s Connecticut criminal history
A provisional pardon, which is used for employment purposes only, and though not very useful, might help an individual applying for a job that requires a Connecticut state license
Meek suggested that those submitting an application should apply for both. Kemp reminded the group that a pardon is a privilege, not a right.
Both Meek and Kemp told the group that if a crime involved a victim, the victim would be notified of an application for a pardon, and the victim’s input could weigh heavily on the decision whether or not to grant a pardon. The Pardons Board also carefully scrutinizes what an applicant has done to give back to the community since being convicted. An applicant may have a clean record since committing a crime, but being a responsible and productive citizen is equally important when a pardon is under consideration.
As Meek and Kemp outlined each step in the Connecticut pardon process, a sense of hope once again began to fill the room. Every participant in the group had his or her own reason for seeking a pardon, raging from wanting to be a better role model for a child, to having a clean record to advance in a career. The goal is to be given a second chance. With the knowledge gained at the pardon training workshop, many of the participants were given the opportunity to reach that goal.
For more information on pardon training please call Amy Meek at 203.946.2395, or Terzah Kemp at 203.946.7665.
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