Pardon Attorney Recommended Clemency for All Federal Death Row Inmates

A former Department of Justice pardon attorney recommended clemency for all 40 federal death row inmates. Officials granted clemency in 37 of those cases. The attorney held the position of nonpolitical pardon attorney at the Department of Justice. The recommendations covered every person on federal death row at the time.

Background on the Role The pardon attorney position involves reviewing clemency applications and making formal recommendations to officials. The role is described in the report as nonpolitical. The same attorney also appeared as a witness during an attorney general confirmation hearing.

The hearing focused on the attorney’s prior recommendations and actions while in the position. The report states that the attorney pushed clemency for individuals convicted of serious crimes including rape, child molestation, and murder.