Here you will find information related to the Governor's Commutation Advisory Board. The Governor's Commutation Advisory Board reviews eligible commutation applications and makes recommendations to Gov. Evers on who to grant a commutation to.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between a pardon and a commutation?
A pardon restores certain civil rights and offers forgiveness that can impact your ability to be hired in certain jobs or obtain certain licenses. Currently, to be eligible for a pardon from Governor Evers, you must have completed your entire sentence. A commutation shortens a sentence you are currently serving. You can read more about the different types of executive clemency in Wisconsin. Applicants can read more about the different types of executive clemency in Wisconsin in this memo provided by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.
Who is eligible for a commutation?
You are eligible for a commutation if all of the following apply to you:
- You must currently be incarcerated in a correctional institution for a Wisconsin conviction with more than 1 year of your incarceration term remaining.
- You must have served at least half of your incarceration term or at least 20 years of a life sentence.
- You cannot be currently serving an incarceration term for a sex offense or be required to register as a sex offender (either currently or upon release).
- You cannot have any unresolved criminal charges or outstanding warrants in any jurisdiction.
- You cannot have any incidents of violent misconduct within the last 5 years of your current incarceration term.
- You must not be seeking a commutation for a conviction of any of the following crimes:
- Sexual assault
- Physical abuse of a child
- Sexual exploitation of a child
- Trafficking of a child
- Incest
- Soliciting a child for prostitution
Alternatively, you are eligible for a juvenile life sentence commutation if all of the following apply to you:
- You must currently be incarcerated in a correctional institution for a Wisconsin conviction with more than 1 year of your incarceration term remaining.
- You must have served at least half of your incarceration term or at least 20 years of a life sentence.
- You cannot have any unresolved criminal charges or outstanding warrants in any jurisdiction.
- You cannot have any incidents of violent misconduct within the last 5 years of your current incarceration term.
- You must not be seeking a commutation for a conviction of any of the following crimes:
- Sexual assault
- Physical abuse of a child
- Sexual exploitation of a child
- Trafficking of a child
- Incest
- Soliciting a child for prostitution
With respect to the conviction for which you are seeking a juvenile life sentence commutation, you must have:
- Been age 19 or younger at the time of conviction;
- Been tried as an adult; and
- Received a life sentence or a sentence in excess of 39 years of incarceration.
If my sentence is commuted, will I be released from prison immediately?
If the Board recommends your sentence be commuted, the Board will also recommend to how your sentence should be changed or shortened. That could include making you eligible for parole sooner, reducing your sentence by a number of years, or converting part of your prison sentence to extended supervision.
Can I apply for a commutation and a pardon at the same time?
No. If you are currently in prison, you may be eligible to apply for a commutation. To apply for a pardon, you must have completed your entire sentence and meet the requirements listed on the Pardon Information page.
I’ve submitted materials to the Governor in the past, or a group has on my behalf, seeking a reduction in my sentence. Can the Commutations Advisory Board or the Governor just reference those materials?
No. If you wish to apply for a commutation you need to complete an application with all the required information and documents for the Board or the Governor to consider your request.
Do certain individuals have to be notified that I’m seeking a commutation?
Yes. As part of the application process, you will need to notify the District Attorney who prosecuted you and the Judge who presided over your case. The Board will also ask victims of crimes for input.
Will the victim have a say in my application?
Yes, the perspectives and opinions of victims will be an important consideration for the Commutations Advisory Board.
Is the Commutation Advisory Board the same as the Parole Commission?
No. Commutations are different from parole. The Commutation Advisory Board reviews eligible commutation applications and makes recommendations to the Governor on who to grant a commutation to and how that person’s sentence should be shortened. Only the Governor can grant a commutation for a Wisconsin conviction. The Wisconsin Parole Commission is an independent commission that reviews requests for parole or early release from prison for sentences handed down for crimes committed before December 31, 1999. A commutation granted by the Governor could include moving up a parole eligibility date but can also independently shorten a sentence.
Can an attorney or someone else help me complete the application?
Yes. You do not need an attorney to complete a commutation application or represent you at a hearing. However, you may hire one at your own expense. Free or low-cost assistance with the commutation process may be available through organizations like the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Justice Center Mobile Legal Clinic, and Legal Action of Wisconsin.
Is there a fee for filing a commutation application?
No. But there may be court fees associated with obtaining some of the documents required to accompany the application.
What is the Commutation Advisory Board's contact information
Application materials should be mailed to:
Office of the Governor
Attn: Commutation Advisory Board
PO Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
Questions or requests for an update in application status may be emailed to GOVCommutations@wisconsin.gov. If you do not have access to email, you can call (608) 266-1212. Milwaukee area applicants are encouraged to call (414) 227-4344. However, details regarding when exactly your application may be reviewed, what the “chances" are for your application, or other related inquiries will not be answered by staff.