Seattle Clemency Project

Immigration Defense: The Seattle Clemency Project's Immigrant Post-Conviction Relief work partners with the Northwest Immigrant Right Project to identify individuals who are eligible to petition for termination of old deportation orders if they get post-conviction relief from old criminal convictions. In 2023, SCP's Immigrant Post-Conviction Relief program received applications from approximately 30 individuals seeking assistance, 10 of whom were matched with pro bono attorneys and deportation was prevented in 4 cases. We conducted 3 pro bono lawyer training sessions and supported approximately 15 pro bono lawyers with existing cases. Through SCP's work on this program, over $1.2 million in free legal services have been generated for immigrants facing deportation due to old criminal convictions in Washington.

Early Release from Prison Program: Our early release program matches individuals who are good candidates for early release from prison through either the clemency, prosecutor-initiated resentencing or the juvenile parole board processes. Legal counsel is not appointed by the government to represent individuals who cannot afford a lawyer through these processes, so having an advocate is essential for getting meaningful review and relief. In 2023, we screened approximately 300 individuals seeking a pro bono attorney and matched 25 incarcerated individuals with pro bono attorneys to go through clemency, prosecutor-initiated resentencing, or the juvenile parole board process. Additionally, we supported approximately 75 pro bono attorneys with active cases. By the end of 2023, 92 people with life or long sentences were released from prison with assistance from a SCP volunteer lawyer since SCP's founding in 2016. The total estimated amount of free direct legal services generated by SCP's early release pro bono lawyer program since its founding in 2016 is $9 million.

Re-Entry and Mentoring Program: The Reentry and Mentoring Program seeks to help each client heal and prosper by assisting in the creation of individualized reentry plans that include referrals to housing, employment, counseling, addiction treatment, training / education, and pro bono legal support. The program begins when the case is being prepared by pro bono lawyers to see early release from prison and continues through release, ensuring each person has a solid support system throughout their transition back into the community. We provide individualized support upon reentry, connect clients with other organizations for targeted support needs and conduct twice monthly mentoring sessions that offer resources and training for participants. In 2023, we supported over 50 individuals in pre-release reentry planning, provided continuing post-release reentry support for over 85 individuals, and provided direct financial assistance to over 30 individuals.