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Akron Law receives grant for Expedited Pardon Project
In late 2021, The University of Akron School of Law received a $108,257 grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) to continue and expand the Expedited Pardon Project. Pictured here Akron Law Reentry Clinic students and Director Joann Sahl gather to discuss their work on the Expedited Pardon Project. (Photo courtesy of Scott Horstman).
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 14, 2022
In 2007, Akron resident LaSalle Harris checked herself into the ADM Crisis Center for treatment after 23 years of struggling with drug addiction, multiple arrests and incarcerations.
When she got out she began having problems securing long-term employment.
“I had five different jobs in a month’s time because every time they ran a background check I was let go,” said Harris.
By 2018, Harris had received her bachelor’s degree in social work from The University of Akron and had several jobs, including serving as an Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services certified peer recovery supporter and facilitator and a part-time certified peer recovery supporter specialist for Community Support Services (CSS).
In addition, she also started the nonprofit sober living facility JoAnna House II in 2012.
Despite her many accomplishments, she still lived under the cloud of a criminal record, preventing her from becoming a licensed social worker and a chemical dependency counselor.
But that’s no longer the case. It’s all due to the Ohio governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, which simplifies and shortens the clemency process for certain rehabilitated residents who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to becoming contributing members of society.
Launched in December of 2019, the project was initially a collaboration between Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and The University of Akron School of Law’s Reentry Clinic, run by director Joann Sahl.
“This project has been life-changing for those who have received a pardon,” said Sahl.
That’s certainly been the case for Harris, one of dozens of clients Sahl worked with at the clinic to try to secure a pardon.
“I feel as though I can finally stand up and be a proud citizen without my 23 felony convictions hanging over my head,” said Harris, who got the news about her pardon on Christmas Eve in 2020.
Now a chemical dependency counselor assistant for the state of Ohio, Harris is preparing to take her social work licensing exam in February.
“My nonprofit is partnering with Tober Building and CSS to build the Naomi Project, an eight one-bedroom permanent supportive housing facility. Construction is expected to start in April and when I pass the exam and get my license I will be able to serve as the director or as certified peer recovery supporter supervisor.”
In late 2021, Akron Law received a $108,257 grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) to continue and expand the Expedited Pardon Project.
“The University of Akron has been a great partner with us on the Pardon Project, and their work is making a real difference for citizens who’ve reformed their lives and deserve expedited consideration for a pardon,” Gov. DeWine stated in an email. “The traditional pardon process is complex and lengthy, and this grant will help the university continue working to help qualifying citizens who’ve lived good post-conviction lives move through this process faster.”
“To date, we have had over 200 applications and accepted more than 90 candidates, some who were handled by our colleagues at Ohio State,” said Sahl. “Prior to receiving this grant money, the clinic’s expedited pardon work was unfunded.”
The grant is part of a $1 million expansion of the project, which includes the addition of three new partners--Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, the University of Dayton School of Law and the Ohio Justice & Policy Center in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
“The addition of the new partners will allow more resources to assist accepted clients with the pardon process,” said Sahl. “This will include helping clients prepare their pardon application and representing them at their pardon hearing.”
“We are grateful to Gov. DeWine, the ODRC and the General Assembly for their continued support of this important initiative,” said outgoing Akron Law Dean Christopher J. (C.J.) Peters. “The grant will allow us to expand the work that our students are doing under the supervision of Professor Sahl and get the word about the project so more potential candidates can reach out to our clinic.
“It takes a lot of time and resources to review the applications and prepare applications for qualified candidates for the parole board to consider. We also brought on three new partners and Professor Sahl will need to work with them and get them up to speed. The grant money will help us to accomplish all of that.”
To apply for an expedited pardon, an individual must have been released from court supervision or ODRC supervision at least ten years ago and not committed any additional crimes (excluding minor traffic citations) in at least the past ten years.
In addition, all court-ordered restitution and/or court costs are required to be paid prior to applying.
There are a number of disqualifying offenses, including serious and violent crimes such as aggravated murder, murder, rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, human trafficking, kidnapping, domestic violence and other charges.
The applicant must provide a compelling reason for seeking the pardon and have some post-offense employment history or explain why he/she could not obtain a job. Finally, the individual is required to have performed some volunteer or non-court ordered community service or demonstrate other efforts to give back.
“My reentry clinic students and I do the initial review of the applications that we receive to see who meets the screening criteria,” said Sahl. “My colleagues at OSU and I will then discuss the cases and decide which applicants might be good candidates for an expedited pardon.”
Those who are selected receive assistance preparing a full application and gathering supporting evidence, said Sahl.
“The full packet is then submitted to the Ohio Parole Board, which will conduct a hearing on the application,” she said. “After the hearing, the parole board submits recommendations to the governor and the governor makes the final decision on the applicant.”
As of Dec. 28, 2021, the governor had pardoned 17 applicants, Sahl said.
“In addition to giving a fresh start to applicants, the project provides students with the opportunity to work on real client cases much earlier in their law school careers,” said Sahl.
Anyone who believes they meet the current criteria should go to ohioexpeditedpardon.org to learn more about the process, required documentation and where to send the paperwork.