-Source-NPR-
Advocates for prisoners from several groups tell NPR that White House officials have privately asked them for potential candidates for clemency, and they have offered dozens of names.
The outreach came in the wake of President Trump's recent spate of pardons and commutations — most of which were granted to public figures or individuals who had received a lot of media attention.
The advocates, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue, said they are now waiting for the next move from the White House, and it's unclear what type of process the administration may adopt to manage these clemency requests.
They said Trump's son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner and White House counsel Don McGahn are leading the effort to examine how the president will use his clemency power going forward.
Trump's Moves May Mark A New Era Of The Celebrity Pardon
Kushner has also been spearheading the White House's push for legislation that would offer incentives to prisoners to participate in training or vocational classes with a goal of reducing recidivism.
One name that advocates have brought to the White House for consideration is Matthew Charles. Julieta Martinelli of member station WPLN reported that Charles was released after serving more than two decades in prison for selling crack to an informant, but a federal court ruled that his 35-year sentence was wrongfully reduced and sent him back. Read more
Comments