Across the country, people receive extremely long and life sentences with no opportunity for release.

People change, age, mature, and rehabilitate themselves – but our laws provide few ways for people to have their sentences reviewed and reduced when punishment is no longer necessary to keep the public safe. One of the few ways people can receive a second chance is by requesting clemency – sometimes called a commutation of sentence, conditional pardon, or conditional parole. Clemency can reduce sentences, reunite families, and give people second chances, but it is very rarely used. In almost every state, only the governor can grant clemency. Those in federal prisons can be granted clemency only by the president.

Ask the president and your governor to grant clemency more often to deserving people in federal and state prisons.