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Conditional Pardons

A conditional pardon is an act by the Governor to modify or end a sentence imposed by the court.  It is available only to people who are currently incarcerated.  The Governor only grants a conditional pardon when there is substantial evidence of extraordinary circumstances to warrant it; such a pardon is not regarded as a substitute judgment for that of the convicting court.

Another form of conditional clemency is a Medical Pardon or Medical Furlough.  The inmate must meet the criteria of being terminally ill, with a life expectancy of three months or less. Because of this shortened time frame, medical pardons are handled via an expedited process.

Requirements

To petition for a conditional pardon, including medical pardon, the inmate, inmate’s family member, or attorney must provide the following information in a letter addressed to the governor: 

• full name and any previous names and aliases;
• inmate number;
• location(s) of incarceration;
• Social Security number;
• date of birth;
• mailing address;
• dates, courts, sentences or other dispositions of all misdemeanor and felony convictions;
• date of parole eligibility;
• date of mandatory release;
• a complete statement of details for each conviction; and
• an explanation of why the Governor should grant a pardon. 

Please note:  This letter serves as your official petition; there is no official form you need to fill out.

You should provide all the relevant information you wish to have considered.  Please note that the petition process does not include any hearing, meeting or conference with the petitioner or persons on the petitioner’s behalf.

Conditional pardon petitions are sent to the Virginia Parole Board.  If the Board finds a petition has merit, it will conduct a thorough investigation.  Except for those dealing with medical pardons, these investigations may take as long as a year to complete.

If a petition is denied, another cannot be filed for two years after the date of the denial.

Should you have any questions concerning the procedure for petitioning for a conditional pardon, please contact Patricia Tucker at the contact information provided below.

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Please direct all questions to:

Patricia Tucker, Director of Extradition and Clemency
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Post Office Box 2454
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2454
(804) 692-0105

or use our Inquiry Form