People Change.
Records Can Too.
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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.
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
On April 9, the Board of Pardons held its first Merit Review of the year, when it determines which pardon applicants merit a public hearing. The Board considered 225 applicants and it granted hearings to 189 - 84.0%.
113 of the 189 successful applicants -- 60% -- received unanimous 5-0 votes (and another 35 received 4 votes), underlining the need to get those applicants to the Governor quickly so that they can get to pursuing their potentials unrestrained by their past, to the benefit of us all.
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. Monroe County deserves its fair share!
Who We Are
The Pardon Project of Monroe County began as a volunteer (pro bono) program of the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA), where it had the strong support of the judiciary, the Clerk of Court, the District Attorney and the Public Defender. Then, the Metamorphosis Women’s Empowerment Initiative quickly joined the effort, followed quickly by CareerLink Monroe County, PathStone, NorthBound, Resources for Human Development through its Crossroads Community Services and Street2Feet programs, and State Representative Tarah Probst. Our goal is to enlist more organizations and train their staff and volunteers, creating a real network in our County where people can go and get help cleaning up their criminal records so they can get on with pursuing their potential.
We all volunteers and part of a large and growing statewide network of Pardon Projects.
What We Do
We provide information about pardons (which come from the Governor) and expungements (when Judges erase criminal records) and we train volunteers (“Pardon Coaches”) and organizations (“Pardon Hubs”) so that they can help people pursue their potential without being held back by their past. We can only help with convictions under Pennsylvania law; we can provide information on where to go for convictions in other states and the federal system.
Who We Serve
We provide Pardon Coaches for free to people who reside in Monroe County (or were convicted here) who have completed their sentences at least five years ago (longer, if the crimes involved violence, threats of violence or guns) and whose household incomes are at or below 237.5% of the federal poverty guidelines Others may qualify on a case-by-case basis. We refer to the Bar Association anyone who doesn’t meet our requirements for free service.
How Do I Find Out if I Qualify?
Complete the form below with your information and someone from our team will reply:
Can I Apply Myself?
YES! You do NOT need a lawyer to apply for a pardon. Here is what you need to succeed:
- Click here for Fast Facts about Pardons in Pennsylvania
- Click here for an 12-minute film about the PA Pardon Process by Pardon Fellow Zach Keasling
- Click here for a flyer explaining how to make the best case you can for a pardon
- Click here for a Self-Help Guide to Applying for a Governor's Pardon in PA (March 2026)
- Click here for 7 short videos explaining the steps in the pardon process
- Click here to download the application form and instructions
- Download the list of documents you need to get from the courthouse (in English) (in Spanish)
- Watch a video explaining how you can apply yourself (in English) (in Spanish)
- Click here to watch a video about preparing yourself for your public hearing
- VISIT OUR VIDEO LIBRARY for lots of other self-help videos.
Questions?
Second chances start here.
The Pardon Project began in 2018 as a part of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity's service to its Philadelphia low-income clients with criminal records. Its first year report can be read here. When COVID-19 shut down direct operations, Tobey Oxholm (then PLSE's Executive Director) started teaching individuals and organizations about pardons via zoom. A greatly simplified application made it possible to engage with more volunteers, and the Project expanded to counties all around the state.
In 2025, the Pennsylvania Pardon Project was formed as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation and received its 501c3 determination that same year. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law and GREATLY appreciated, and should be mailed. New partners are welcome at all times. Copies of the organization's tax returns and policies are available upon request.
Contact Us
1 Watawga Way West
Gouldsboro, PA 18424
