The Pardon Project of Cumberland County began with community leaders coming together in late 2023 to discuss the problems being caused in the community because so many of its members cannot get ahead because of criminal convictions in their past. It went “live” on February 15, 2024, with a screening of Pardon Me and the first Pardon Coach Training at Penn State Dickinson Law. It builds off the Pardon Project that Dickinson Law had started under the leadership of Professor Gary Gildin in early 2022, through which almost 30 law students have helped low-income clients from Philadelphia apply for pardons. Now, with the support of Penn State Dickinson Law alumni and the Cumberland County Bar Association, the project will be opening its doors to low-income members of the Cumberland County community. The Project’s Steering Committee members include representatives from Central Pennsylvania Family Support Services (The Som Foundation), the Cumberland County Public Defender, the Cumberland County Bar Association, Cumberland County Adult Probation and Parole, the Cumberland County Re-entry Coalition, the Clerk of Courts, the District Attorney’s Office, and Penn State Dickinson Law. This group of individuals comes from all backgrounds, ranging from elected officials and civic leaders to Pardon Fellows (people with felony convictions in their past) who all want to help those who have turned their lives around, have done their best, and deserve a second chance.

For a list of our members, click here.

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

“Pardon Hubs” are locations where the staff can answer many if not all of your questions and help you through the process. Our primary Pardon Hub is being hosted by Central Pennsylvania Family Support Services’ The Som Foundation which is located at 320 S. Hanover Street in Carlisle. We are looking to expand in the future, making our services accessible to everyone across Cumberland County!

Remember that ANYONE can help themselves because a pardon in PA can be applied for by ANY individual for ANY conviction. If you feel that you have a compelling story to tell, don’t let anyone get in your way! 

We provide Pardon Coaches for free to people who reside in Cumberland County (or were convicted here), but give priority to those who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($27,180/year for an individual, $55,500/year for a family of 4) and who have completed their sentences for non-violent crimes at least eight years ago (may be shorter if you only have one conviction and it is for possessing a small amount of marijuana or minor retail thefts). The only cost that those over that income guideline are responsible for is the fee of getting their records, as the county clerk will only grant them for free if you are within that 200%.

Others may qualify on a case-by-case basis. And EVERYONE can help themselves! For our full Eligibility Criteria, click here.

YES! You do NOT need a lawyer to apply for a pardon. Here is what you need to succeed:

• 8-minute film about the PA Pardon Process by Pardon Fellow Zach Keasling
• Application form and instructions (English)
• Application form and instructions (Spanish)
• List of things to get from the courthouse (English)
• List of things to get from the courthouse (Spanish)
• Videos explaining how to fill out the application form
• Videos of people who have gone through the pardon process, sharing what they’ve learned
• Advice on how to prepare for your hearing before the Board of Pardons