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How to write an effective Clemency LetterPosted on 10/12/08, 10:48 pm Points For Your Clemency Letters
Before you write, read the points below. This is advice from a former member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on what constitutes an effective clemency letter.
The key thing is to remember is that the goal of your letter is to request a reduction of sentence. This letter is not the time to rail against the inequalities and injustices of this system - doing so will render your letter less effective.
How to write an effective clemency letter
THINGS TO REMEMBER
All of the members of the Parole Board will invariably believe that
the judicial system is essentially fair and just. Therefore, they
believe that your loved one has received a fair trial and is guilty.
When writing your letter, it does not matter whether you agree with this or not: This is what the Parole Board members believe and it is the context in which they will make there decision.
The members of the Parole Board are oppointed by the Office of the
Governor. They will almost invariably reflect the views of the
Governor.
Most members of the Parole Board are not attorneys, so they generally
are not going to consider the legal problems of a case. They view
clemency letters essentially as pleas for mercy, they will need over-
whelmingly good reasons to grant that mercy.
The bulk of your letter should focus on these points:
Emphasize loved ones humanity. If the Parole Board members are going
to consider clemency, they need to be able to see loved one as a
human being and not as a criminal. One thing you can do is stress
that your loved one is a parent with children.(Such things as this)
The Parole Board want evidence that the person whom you are
requesting clemency has changed for the better. It would be good
to note that loved one has taken advantage of having spiritual
advisors naming who they might be.
The Parole Board members will take in account a person's criminal
history. People with extensive criminal histories have no chance at
clemency. If no felonies or no violent offenses in their background,
highlight this in your letter.
THINGS TO AVOID
Your letter might briefly mention the following things, but you should generally avoid them, and the focus of your letter should NOT be on these issues:
The facts of the case. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances,
the members of the Parole Board are not going to want to be weighing
merits of the case or the guilt or innocence of your loved one. It
would not be out of line however to discuss perception of the facts.
Avoid personal attacks on the people who have been involved in the
case. Again, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, the members
of the Parole Board are going to be inclined to believe in the
integrity of the process and the people who are a part of the process.
Basic Guideline to keep in mind:
60 lines or less(not over long)
Nothing negative or belligerent toward Board, individuals in case or
society or this governmental system
POSITIVE THINGS ONLY
Here is the outline for a character letter for clemency:
DATE
From: Name
Address
City, State Zip
(123) 456-7890
Subject:Character Letter for John Doe
1. In the first paragraph you will introduce yourself.Include your full name,age, and occupation. Also include your relation if any to the person you are writing for. If you are family please state how long you have known me. If you are an immediate family member, and still married, please say those as well as if you are divorced.
2. In the second paragraph state that you know what the charges are and name them and also where the person is serving their time. Also talk about how you think this has impacted my life. Please mention here of what kind of impact and impression I make on you.
3.In the third paragraph talk about how this situation has effected you,
the writer and what impression you get on how it affects me as well. Do you believe that I have learned my lesson? Be honest here, by doing so you are telling the board that you are aware of my charges.
4. In the 4th paragraph talk about how I have the potential to succeed if released and will again become an assest to society. State that you know this situation has inspired changes in my life and how you notice it.
5. This is the last paragraph. All you have to do is close out the letter and tell the board that if they desire to contact you, your number is in the header of this letter.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
your name(sign in black ink)
Hope all the information helps. Love Rhea
Before you write, read the points below. This is advice from a former member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on what constitutes an effective clemency letter.
The key thing is to remember is that the goal of your letter is to request a reduction of sentence. This letter is not the time to rail against the inequalities and injustices of this system - doing so will render your letter less effective.
How to write an effective clemency letter
THINGS TO REMEMBER
All of the members of the Parole Board will invariably believe that
the judicial system is essentially fair and just. Therefore, they
believe that your loved one has received a fair trial and is guilty.
When writing your letter, it does not matter whether you agree with this or not: This is what the Parole Board members believe and it is the context in which they will make there decision.
The members of the Parole Board are oppointed by the Office of the
Governor. They will almost invariably reflect the views of the
Governor.
Most members of the Parole Board are not attorneys, so they generally
are not going to consider the legal problems of a case. They view
clemency letters essentially as pleas for mercy, they will need over-
whelmingly good reasons to grant that mercy.
The bulk of your letter should focus on these points:
Emphasize loved ones humanity. If the Parole Board members are going
to consider clemency, they need to be able to see loved one as a
human being and not as a criminal. One thing you can do is stress
that your loved one is a parent with children.(Such things as this)
The Parole Board want evidence that the person whom you are
requesting clemency has changed for the better. It would be good
to note that loved one has taken advantage of having spiritual
advisors naming who they might be.
The Parole Board members will take in account a person's criminal
history. People with extensive criminal histories have no chance at
clemency. If no felonies or no violent offenses in their background,
highlight this in your letter.
THINGS TO AVOID
Your letter might briefly mention the following things, but you should generally avoid them, and the focus of your letter should NOT be on these issues:
The facts of the case. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances,
the members of the Parole Board are not going to want to be weighing
merits of the case or the guilt or innocence of your loved one. It
would not be out of line however to discuss perception of the facts.
Avoid personal attacks on the people who have been involved in the
case. Again, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, the members
of the Parole Board are going to be inclined to believe in the
integrity of the process and the people who are a part of the process.
Basic Guideline to keep in mind:
60 lines or less(not over long)
Nothing negative or belligerent toward Board, individuals in case or
society or this governmental system
POSITIVE THINGS ONLY
Here is the outline for a character letter for clemency:
DATE
From: Name
Address
City, State Zip
(123) 456-7890
Subject:Character Letter for John Doe
1. In the first paragraph you will introduce yourself.Include your full name,age, and occupation. Also include your relation if any to the person you are writing for. If you are family please state how long you have known me. If you are an immediate family member, and still married, please say those as well as if you are divorced.
2. In the second paragraph state that you know what the charges are and name them and also where the person is serving their time. Also talk about how you think this has impacted my life. Please mention here of what kind of impact and impression I make on you.
3.In the third paragraph talk about how this situation has effected you,
the writer and what impression you get on how it affects me as well. Do you believe that I have learned my lesson? Be honest here, by doing so you are telling the board that you are aware of my charges.
4. In the 4th paragraph talk about how I have the potential to succeed if released and will again become an assest to society. State that you know this situation has inspired changes in my life and how you notice it.
5. This is the last paragraph. All you have to do is close out the letter and tell the board that if they desire to contact you, your number is in the header of this letter.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________
your name(sign in black ink)
Hope all the information helps. Love Rhea
-
My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Love Rhea
I printed off copies of this along with my contact information and had each of them take it home and use it as a guideline. We had in the neighborhood of 12 letters then the most impressive were the ones used. Bad ones lessen the impact of the good ones.
Plus we had as many that could come for the hearing be there....nicely dressed and pressed.
We did not bring children, little children, with us so as to not offend the courts with their misbehavior so as to not act as if we were disrespecting the court..
We had approximately 12 there all different ages and different sexes.
In the letters we also made note of any jobs that we had already lined up for our son and a place to live,....including if necessary we would move if the court so desired so our son would come home with us.
A very thorough thought out plan for successful reentry into society.
We mentioned things that would make him seem or tell the story of how he is an asset to society too.
Like with our son, his working with ones to alleviate the parents fears for their children going to prison which he did do thru the Parents of Prisoners Group thru the Pen Pal List we have.
The good things that made him seem like an individual that ones would like and respect.
I personally feel the letters played a large part in bringing my son home.... an effective letter was a part of that answer.
I , pray that any writing for this reason will have as much success as we did!
Love Rhea