DeWine’s expedited pardon project reaches record numbers

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(The Center Square) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has reached 323 pardons issued in his final months in office, part of his seven-year long expedited pardons project.

“In general, typical expedited applications take 12-18 months from start to finish,” said Jana Hrdinováof the Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, “Typical applications can take two to four years.”

The Drug Enforcement and Policy Center is one of several partners with the DeWine’s office to offer legal help to applicants and propose candidates to the parole board and in turn DeWine.

The other collaborating organizations are the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, the University of Akron School of Law, Cleveland State University College of Law, the University of Dayton School of Law, and the University of Toledo College of Law in partnership with Toledo Legal Aid at the Public Defender's Office.

The expedited pardons project currently has 340 more applications in process. If these are successful, the total number of expedited pardons would more than double.

However, as a project of the governor’s office, the decision to continue the project will lie with the next governor after DeWine leaves office.

The state’s budget allocated between $500k-$750k per year on the project. There is thus far no data on the economic impact of the expedited pardons.

“Our clients were able to secure higher paid employment or more stable employment as a result of their pardon,” Hrdinováshared, “which in turn generates taxes for the state of Ohio along with other downstream benefits to their family, their community and their state.”

Expedited pardons are only extended to those who have completed sentences and exhibited exemplary behavior for 10 years post completion of their sentence. Those with criminal histories including violent crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape and domestic violence are excluded from the opportunity.