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VOLUNTEER AT A PARDON'S CLINIC

What is a pardon?
Often, persons with past criminal convictions face huge barriers to finding employment. This has devastating effects not only for the person applying for the job, but also for his or her family and community. A pardon effectively erases a criminal record, so that the person with the criminal conviction may have the opportunity to find gainful employment.

What you can do?
The application for a pardon can be long and must be filled out meticulously. As part of BSAY’s “First Steps, Second Chances” Campaign, which centers around reform of the criminal justice system, the Political Action Committee has started a Pardons Clinic in New Haven. Volunteers at the Pardons Clinic will help persons with criminal convictions to fill out their applications for pardons, and will help them to write reflective essays, which are an essential part of the application.  Amy Meek, Director of the New Haven Prison Reentry Initiative, will be conducting a Pardons Training Session for interested volunteers on Thursday, January 26th, at 7pm. The clinic will be held the first Wednesday of every month, from 4-6.

To sign up, fill out this form.