Four times a year, CGLA interviews clients who are seeking to clear their criminal record and for whom executive clemency is their only option. We use experienced intake volunteers to interview these potential clients and work with them to prepare the petitions.
Process: Preparing a clemency petition involves interviewing the client in order to learn the facts and context of their record as well as their current life-situation and aspirations. The volunteer then prepares the written petition and prepares the client to present to the Prisoner Review Board. One advantage of this volunteer opportunity is that the majority of the work can take place outside of traditional work hours.
Training: Clemency petition training is currently closed. Check back for more information soon. If your firm has a formal clemency partnership with CGLA, please check with your pro-bono coordinator.
Requirements: Attorney or law student. Excellent interpersonal skills and commitment to attorney-client relationship.
Suggested Commitment: Volunteers who take on a clemency petition are expected to see the case through from start to finish. A clemency petition typically requires 10-20 hours of work under the guidance of a CGLA staff attorney.
