Beyond Bars

Abstract

The Seattle Clemency Project increases access to justice by connecting people seeking early release from prison and those facing deportation due to old criminal convictions with free legal representation (Seattle Clemency Project, n.d.-b). The organization represents individuals who committed crimes decades ago and have changed their lives for the better. Washington state abolished parole in 1984, leaving the public with a prison system that fails to recognize and reward redemption (Braveman et al., 2022). Washington is also home to many immigrants who qualify for post-conviction relief but lack access to affordable legal representation (McQueeney & Lavelle, 2015). To date, the Seattle Clemency Project has had a substantial impact. The organization has helped 102 people secure freedom from life or long sentences, worked on 22 cases preventing deportation and permanent family separation, matched 275 clients with pro bono attorneys, and generated an estimated $11 million dollars in free legal services (Seattle Clemency Project, n.d.-a).