COMMUTATION FOR MORE ______What is a Commutation? INFORMATION A Commutation is the change of your current sen- tence – whether incarcerated or on supervision – The Pardon Address: to a lesser term. Please note, you may not apply for a Commutation unless all judicial remedies have State of Connecticut Process been exhausted (i.e., sentence modification, habeas, Board of Pardons and Paroles application for early parole or probation discharge.) 55 West Main St. Waterbury, CT 06702 Who May Apply? State of Connecticut If you are currently serving a sentence or are under Phone Numbers: supervision as follows: (203) 805-6605 Parole Division Board of Pardons sentence of 8 or more years—eligible after 4 (203) 805-6643 Pardon Division years (203) 805-6652 Fax and Paroles sentence of less than 8 years—eligible after 50% Email:
How Do I Apply? [email protected]
If you or someone you know is incarcerated, appli- cations and instructions can be obtained from the Website: Correctional Facility where you/the individual is www.ct.gov/bopp housed. Applications and instructions are also available on the agency’s website at www.ct.gov/ Hours: bopp or by calling (203) 805-6643. The Board cur- rently holds two (2) Commutation hearings per Monday - Friday year. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ______This notice is being provided in accordance with C.G.S. § BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES MISSION: 54-130f and will be distributed to all individuals upon: The Mission of the Board of Pardons and Paroles is to facilitate sentencing; the successful reintegration of suitable offenders into the com- munity. release from the Department of Correction (DOC); and completion of parole, probation or conditional dis- BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES VISION: charge. Carleton J. Giles Reduced recidivism; The Board of Pardons and Paroles complies with the Americans with Chairperson More investment in crime prevention; Disabilities Act (ADA.) If you need a reasonable accommodation in Reduced victimization; accordance with the ADA, contact the Board at [email protected]. Less violent, safer communities; An increased capacity to measure all of the above. © Copyright 2018 State of Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles GENERAL INFORMATION
The Board has the power to grant the following: Absolute Pardon, deny your application for a pardon or inal history, you should not be prevented from get- continue your application to a full panel hearing. At a ting a job or a license. Absolute Pardons standard pre-screen, the Board will review your applica- Certificates of Employability tion to determine whether you should proceed to a full Who May Apply? Commutations hearing and appear before the Board. This entire proce- Any resident of Connecticut who has been convict- dure usually takes approximately 2-3 months, but pro- ed of a crime or crimes in any state or jurisdiction. cessing time varies depending on the volume of applica- If you are currently under supervision by the Parole ABSOLUTE PARDON tions received. and Community Services Division of the Depart- ______In all instances, you will receive a letter with the results ment of Correction and have successfully completed What is an Absolute Pardon? of these reviews shortly after they occur. Please note, (90) days of supervision, you are eligible to apply. you may be required to appear in person even if you do Additionally, if you were incarcerated and are (90) An Absolute Pardon, also referred to as a full pardon, not currently live in Connecticut. days past discharge, are not currently under super- results in the erasure of your adult Connecticut crimi- vision and have had no new arrest(s,) you are eligi- nal record. You cannot apply to pardon one offense What Does the Board Take Into Consideration? ble to apply. and not another. Therefore, your entire criminal histo- ry will be considered for an Absolute Pardon. The Board decides whether or not to grant a pardon, For individuals under Probation Supervision, you based on – among other things – the severity of the must apply through the Court Support Services When Can I Apply? offense, the impact on the victim and the victim’s input, Division (CSSD) of the Judicial Branch. your criminal history and how much time has passed You may apply three (3) years after the date of disposi- since your most recent offense, and whether the public Note: If you are currently incarcerated, you do not tion for your most recent Misdemeanor conviction and interest is served by pardoning your criminal record. qualify for a Certificate of Employability. For incar- five (5) years after the date of disposition for your The State’s Attorney’s opinion may also be taken into cerated offenders or individuals currently on proba- most recent Felony conviction. You cannot be on pa- consideration. The Board will also consider what you tion or any form of parole, who are seeking an Ab- role or probation. have accomplished since your most recent offense, your solute Pardon, or Commutation of your sentence, How Do I Apply? work history, subsequent contact with the criminal jus- please use the “Application for Commutation by tice system, character references and community ser- Current Offender” form. This form can be found Applications and instructions are available on the agen- vice. The Board may consider any other pertinent infor- at www.ct.gov/bopp. cy’s website at www.ct.gov/bopp or may be requested mation available in deciding whether to grant or deny a by calling (203) 805-6643. pardon. Your chances each time you apply are based How Do I Apply? not only on your eligibility, but on your suitability as What Happens Once I Apply? Applications and instructions are available on the well. agency’s website at www.ct.gov/bopp or may be Following receipt, staff will review your application to requested by calling (203) 805-6643. determine if you will be scheduled for an Expedited CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYABILITY Similar to the application process for an Absolute Review without a hearing or a standard pre-screen ______review. If you are convicted of non-violent offenses Pardon, your application for a Certificate of Employ- where there is no victim interest, you may be consid- What is a Certificate of Employability? ability will be reviewed and investigated. Upon com- pletion, the Board will conduct an administrative ered for an Expedited Review. If you qualify for an A Certificate of Employability, also known statutorily as review. At such time, the Board will deny or grant Expedited Review, you may be granted an Absolute a Provisional Pardon or Certificate of Rehabilitation, is the issuance of the Certificate. You do not appear Pardon without being required to be present. At an for employment and licensing purposes only. It is an before the Board. Expedited Review, the Board may choose to grant an official State document certifying that despite your crim-