Bush Clemency Backlog
The Los Angeles Times reported that the federal clemency system has the largest backlog of cases in recent history. More than 3,000 petitions for clemency filed by federal prisoners are pending. After acting on several hundred petitions a year, President Bush has acted on only 18 cases this year, most recently to commute the prison sentence of former White House aid I. Lewis Libby in July.
"The number of cases that are not being acted on is skyrocketing," said P.S. Ruckman Jr., a clemency expert and professor at Rock Valley College. Since World War II, on average 500 to 1,000 requests are pending at any given time, with approximately 1,000 petitions per year.
ACS released an issue brief by Margaret Colgate Love last month that examined the president's pardon powers.
"The number of cases that are not being acted on is skyrocketing," said P.S. Ruckman Jr., a clemency expert and professor at Rock Valley College. Since World War II, on average 500 to 1,000 requests are pending at any given time, with approximately 1,000 petitions per year.
ACS released an issue brief by Margaret Colgate Love last month that examined the president's pardon powers.
Written By:Merry Colin On December 3, 2007 1:54 PM
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No wonder there is a backlog. Maybe President Bush understands that Article 2 of the Constitution gives the President the power to grant reprieves and pardons ONLY for crimes against the United States. (terrorists, spies, etc.)