On Monday, May 17, 2021 Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE) and the Scattergood Foundation hosted a discussion on how the Pennsylvania Pardon System could be the road out of poverty for the City of Philadelphia. Speakers included:
- Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney
- Jeff Brown, President & CEO of Brown’s Super Stores, Inc.
- Evan Figueroa-Vargas, Employment Systems Program Analyst for the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services
- Rev. Michelle Simmons, Founder & CEO of Why Not Prosper.
Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III, Executive Director of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity discussed PLSE’s work in the pardon system and moderated questions with Joe Pyle, President of the Scattergood Foundation.
Pennsylvania may have the most progressive pardon systems in the country, which the Scattergood Foundation recognizes as a powerful tool to changing the lives of thousands of Philadelphians. The Economy League called pardons a “no-cost community development and neighborhood investment policy”. Their April 2020 study showed $16.5 million in additional wages flowing across Pennsylvania to those who had been granted pardons, most going to low-and moderate-income neighborhoods. With tens of thousands of potential recipients, Philadelphia saw fewer than 50 individuals apply last year.
How can you get involved?
- Watch the discussion that was held on Monday, May 17th, 2021.
- Learn how you can support the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity and the Pardon Project by making a contribution, volunteering as a pardon coach, and being an advocate.
- Share Pardon Project resources with individuals who may benefit from a pardon.
- Identify community centers and/or organizations that may want to become a Pardon Hub and encourage them to reach out to PLSE.