NACDL’s 50-state (plus DC) proportionality chart, which offers for each jurisdiction consolidated detail concerning (i) individual constitutional provisions, (ii) whether each is broader than the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, (iii) important holdings, (iv) important case law citations to Graham, (v) whether parole is discretionary, and (vi) whether LWOP and JLWOP sentences are currently available.

NACDL’s Trial Penalty Clemency Project seeks to recruit volunteers to assist federal prisoners seeking commutations. 

for Family Members and Loved Ones of People in Federal Prison

The Excessive Sentence Project recruits and trains pro bono attorneys to file compassionate release motions on behalf of individuals in federal prison whose sentences are too long, either because they would receive a much lower sentences today due to intervening changes in the law or because their original sentence was simply unjust.  If you think your loved one might qualify, please complete our questionnaire.  Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone, but we are doing everything we can.

Pursuing multiple avenues of relief for those directly impacted by a cannabis conviction and its consequences through clemency, compassionate release, expungement, and reform.

NACDL’s Return to Freedom Project helps those serving overly harsh sentences seek relief by partnering with partner organizations to recruit, train, and support pro bono volunteers to secure clemency, compassionate release, or expungement. 

The Virginia Redemption Project recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to assist individuals incarcerated in Virginia’s prisons to petition for post-sentencing relief and executive clemency (which in Virginia is called a conditional pardon and is an act by the governor to modify a sentence). Having counsel through the process greatly increases the chances of success, and the Virginia Redemption Project is focused on ensuring that those who want to file a conditional pardon and cannot afford a lawyer have access to meaningful review of their case.

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Families Against Mandatory Minimums Announce NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project -- Washington, DC (Aug. 21, 2017) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), with support from the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ), announce today a major state-focused clemency initiative, the NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project, a program designed to help to recruit, train, and provide resource support to pro bono attorneys...

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Families Against Mandatory Minimums Announce NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project.

NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project Disappointed in Small Number of Commutations in New York -- The NACDL/FAMM State Clemency Project Calls on Governor Cuomo to Increase and Regularize Grants; ‘The Robust Exercise of Executive Clemency Power is Part of Meaningful Criminal Justice Reform’

Para Familiares y Conocidos de Personas en Prisiones Federales

El proyecto para sentencias excesivas recluta y entrena abogados libres de cargos para ayudar con mociones de liberación compasiva en parte de personas en prisiones federales que tienen sentencias excesivas sea porque ellos recibirán sentencias más bajas hoy, dado a los cambios intervinientes en la ley, o porque la sentencia fue simplemente injusta. Si piensas que su conocido califica, por favor llena nuestro cuestionario. Desafortunadamente, no podemos ayudar a todos, pero estamos haciendo todo lo que podemos.  

for Family Members and Loved Ones of Vulnerable People in Federal Prison

Note: At this time, the Clearinghouse is only accepting applications from those who are currently on CARES Act Home Confinement.

In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Compassionate Release Clearinghouse COVID-19 Project was created to help elderly and medically vulnerable people in federal prison seek early release from prison.

Para Familiares y Conocidos de Personas en Prisiones Federales

En este momento, el proyecto para liberación compasiva relacionado al COVID-19 solo está aceptando aplicaciones por las personas que están en el CARES ACT confinamiento domiciliario.

En repuesta a la pandemia global de COVID-19, el proyecto para liberación compasiva federal relacionado al COVID-19 fue establecido para las personas detenidas en las prisiones federales, que son mayor de edad o tienen condiciones médicas que lo dejan más vulnerable al COVID-19.

FAMM, NACDL and Washington Lawyers’ Committee Launch CARES Act Home Confinement Clearinghouse -- Washington, DC (Aug. 19, 2021) – FAMM, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) launched the “CARES Act Home Confinement Clearinghouse” today in an effort to prevent up to 4,000 people on CARES Act home confinement from returning to prison.