What is a pardon?

Ed Bales: Hi my name is Ed Bales, I am the Managing Director of Federal Prison Consultants, LLC. We are going to speak a little bit about pardons and commutations of sentences and what the differences are and what they mean. Host: What is a pardon?

Ed Bales: A pardon is a forgiveness of your sentence. Most pardons are applied for once you are released from prison, usually there is waiting period of anywhere from three to five years depending on the jurisdiction. Federal pardons go through the U.

S. Pardon attorney, and need to be signed off by the President of the United States. State pardons usually go through the Governor's office or a Pardoning Board that the governor appoints.