STATE PRISON AND PAROLE PROCESS WALK THROUGH
The purpose of the walk through is to present a list of selectable options and the rights you have based on your choices from the selections provided. A PDF detailing all steps of this walk through is available below.
State_Walkthrough.pdf
pardon
In Pennsylvania, the Board of Pardons (BOP) determines whether clemency should be recommended to the Governor for his/her approval or denial. The five members of the BOP review criminal cases from summary offenses to death penalty cases. The BOP only considers whether the applicant should be granted a pardon or have his/her sentenced reduced. The final decision in any pardon's case is made by the Governor.
In Pennsylvania, Act 5 of 1995 mandates the BOP to provide notice to crime victims of the opportunity to offer prior comment on any application which has been granted a public hearing. The victim's comment may either be oral or written and must be considered by the BOP.
For more information about the Board of Pardons and services to crime victims, see the Office of the Victim Advocate’s web site at
www.ova.pa.gov under the "Information and Victim Rights" section.