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Governor's Pardon Advisory Board hears applicants in livestreamed session, moves to closed deliberations
Summary
The Governor's Pardon Advisory Board heard testimony from dozens of applicants who described past convictions, rehabilitation and barriers tied to felony records; the board moved into closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85 to deliberate and will notify applicants of outcomes in about a month to six weeks.
The Governor's Pardon Advisory Board convened a livestreamed public hearing by Zoom where applicants described decades‑old convictions and the post‑sentence work they say merits clemency. Mel Barnes, chief legal counsel to Governor Tony Evers and chair of the board, opened the session and outlined procedure, saying each applicant would spend about three minutes summarizing their offense and sentence, two minutes describing rehabilitation and two minutes for board questions.
The hearing featured a broad cross section of cases. Dennis Lewis, introduced by the chair, said his last incarceration ended in 1980 and described steady work and volunteer service; “I quit drinking 10 years ago,” he told the board. Corey Wright, who was convicted in 2009 on drug charges, said he has remained employed, volunteers with Project Return and started a small business. “I believe I deserve a pardon because second chances are always important,” Wright said. Other applicants described similar themes: treatment for substance use, entrepreneurship, long periods of lawful conduct, and the practical limits of a felony on travel, licensing and employment.
Board members pressed several applicants on outstanding legal details and evidence of rehabilitation. Reverend Jerry Hancock asked Dennis Lewis about a 2004 arrest, and applicant Wayne Clatt answered questions about repayment and a payment plan for an unemployment overpayment. Cindy O'Donnell asked multiple applicants why they had not supplied letters of support; several said letters were overlooked or mailed after an application deadline. Several applicants told the board a pardon would restore access to professional licenses, remove travel barriers to Canada and other countries, or allow them to take on work that requires background checks.
Applicants also raised personal circumstances the board explored in follow‑up questions: James Kipley described a long recovery from alcoholism and recent serious health problems; Jeffrey Montoya described being Native American and how his conviction complicated tribal employment and land matters; other applicants said they had trouble obtaining loans, insurance or housing because of convictions.
After hearing the public testimony, the board voted by voice to move into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(a),(d) and (f) to deliberate on individual applications and consider applicants' financial, medical and other personal histories. Mel Barnes told attendees the board needs a majority of members present to forward an application to the governor and that applicants should expect to hear the office's decision in “about a month to a month and a half.”
The hearing record shows the board is weighing a wide mix of mitigation, community work and collateral consequences in individual cases. No final pardons were announced at the meeting; the board proceeded to closed‑door deliberations to make formal recommendations to Governor Evers.
The board livestreamed the public portion on WisconsinEye and YouTube, and staff told attendees that if technical issues arose the applicant would be called again. The board's next procedural step is internal deliberation in closed session and, where majority support exists, forwarding recommendations to the governor, who will make the final decision.
