Free Documentary Screening, Panel Discussion to Explore Pardon System and Its Impacts

The Pardon Project of Centre County will host a screening of a new documentary exploring the pardon system and the stories of people in it on Wednesday at The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College.

The screening of “Pardon Me,” will begin at 7 p.m. A reception with light refreshments will begin at 6 p.m.

Free tickets are available online.

Following the 30-minute documentary a panel discussion that will feature the director Shuja Moore, a formerly incarcerated community advocate in West Philadelphia; individuals who have worked as “pardon coaches” through the Pardon Project; and members of the local community who have experienced the prejudice that comes with having a criminal record and the hope that a pardon offers.

Other sponsors for the event include Penn State Law Criminal Appellate and Post Conviction Clinic, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Centre Peace, the Centre County Prison Society and Central Pennsylvania United.

“One of the most exciting public-private partnerships to emerge in years has been pardons,” Krista Henry, a pardon coach for the project, said in a news release. “Almost no one knows about the millions of dollars that come out to communities every year simply because people who once crossed the line are no longer being held back by their past. Or how Pennsylvania has been leading pardon reform in the county. It’s time our community took advantage of this great opportunity.”

The Pardon Project of Centre County is a coalition of lawyers, county officials, community agencies and resident volunteers working to help individuals through the state Board of Pardons process.