People Change.

Records Can Too.

Bedford County Pardon Project

A pardon is total forgiveness by the state and it requires the court, prosecutors, and state police to erase your record like it never happened.

You will never have to “check the box” again!

The Pardon Project of Bedford County

A pardon is a powerful tool for people who deserve a second chance. In Pennsylvania, the pardon process is free and more accessible than ever before. The Pardon Project of Bedford County was created to help members of our community who were once convicted of a non-violent crime, completed their sentence, and turned their lives around – and only their past is holding them back from pursuing their potential.

If you’re someone who has a criminal record and is considering seeking a pardon, there are several benefits to doing so. Firstly, a pardon can help remove the stigma and barriers that come with having a criminal record, making it easier to find employment, housing, and education opportunities. Additionally, a pardon can provide a sense of closure and allow you to move on from your past mistakes, freeing you to pursue personal and professional growth. The potential benefits of a pardon are significant and can create a range of opportunities that may not have been available otherwise. We want to help you realize this opportunity!

If you have ever pled guilty or been convicted of a non-violent state crime in Pennsylvania and completed your sentence at least five years ago, you should consider applying for a pardon.

Records Can Too.

The Pardon Project of Bedford County

A pardon is a powerful tool for people who deserve a second chance. In Pennsylvania, the pardon process is free and more accessible than ever before. The Pardon Project of Bedford County was created to help members of our community who were once convicted of a non-violent crime, completed their sentence, and turned their lives around – and only their past is holding them back from pursuing their potential.

If you’re someone who has a criminal record and is considering seeking a pardon, there are several benefits to doing so. Firstly, a pardon can help remove the stigma and barriers that come with having a criminal record, making it easier to find employment, housing, and education opportunities. Additionally, a pardon can provide a sense of closure and allow you to move on from your past mistakes, freeing you to pursue personal and professional growth. The potential benefits of a pardon are significant and can create a range of opportunities that may not have been available otherwise. We want to help you realize this opportunity!

If you have ever pled guilty or been convicted of a non-violent state crime in Pennsylvania and completed your sentence at least five years ago, you should consider applying for a pardon.
Bedford County Pardon Project

A pardon is total forgiveness by the state and it requires the court, prosecutors, and state police to erase your record like it never happened.

You will never have to “check the box” again!

News Alert

At its October Public Hearings, the Board of Pardons heard 176 pardon applications (including 42 that were excused) and recommended 138 of them - a success rate of 78.4%. The applicants came from 38 counties. A total of 596 pardon cases were heard by the BOP this year and 81.5% (486) were recommended to the Governor.

Two –

Thirds

of those who apply for a pardon in Pennsylvania actually get one!

Did You Know?

Pennsylvania is leading the nation in pardon reform! The pardon process is entirely free, a lawyer is not necessary, and over 80% of the people going before the PA Board of Pardons actually end up with a pardon! Over a ten-year period, pardons brought over $16.5 million dollars in higher wages into communities all across the state. Bedford County deserves its fair share!

Who We Are

We are a broad and diverse group of elected, business, non-profit civic and philanthropic leaders who appreciate the fact that we ALL do better if EVERYONE has the opportunity to achieve their potential. Our key contributors have been Personal Solutions Inc., the United Way, Chief Public Defender, State Representative Jesse Topper, Horizon Behavioral Health, Peerstar, CareerLink, Goodwill, the Center for Community Action, and Bedford Developmental & Behavioral Health Services.

We all volunteers and part of a large and growing statewide network of Pardon Projects.

What We Do

We will be training our first group of “Pardon Coaches” – volunteers trained to help people apply – on Thursday, June 13 at 2pm. If you are interested, please email us at [email protected]. Training is free and it only takes one hour (free CLE credit for attorneys).

Ask us about training for your organization to become a “Pardon Hubs” providing on-site information and counseling.

Who We Serve

We provide help to people who reside in Bedford County (or were convicted here), but give priority to those who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (in 2024, this mean $30,120/year for an individual, $62,400/year for a family of 4) and who have completed their sentences at least five years ago. The only cost that those over that income guideline are responsible for is the fee of getting their records from the courthouse. Eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis. And EVERYONE can help themselves!

How Do I Find Out if I Qualify?

Complete the form below with your information and someone from our team will be reply:

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About the Pardon Project

Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) has been helping low-income Philadelphians clean up their criminal records since 2011. In 2018, it started the Pardon Project to make the pardon process in Pennsylvania accessible to those without money to hire lawyers. In 2020, PLSE began helping communities outside Philadelphia form their own Pardon Projects. The Pennsylvania Association of Pardon Projects was formed the following year. Click here to read the article Pardon Projects: Communities Coming Together in Restorative Justice (PA Bar Association, Jan. 2022).
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Pennsylvania Association of Pardon Projects
230 S. Broad Street Suite 1102
Philadelphia, PA 19102

[email protected]

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