Celebrating Big Wins at the Board of Pardons Public Hearing

We are thrilled to share that Marie “Mechie” Scott was unanimously recommended for commutation by the Board of Pardons on Friday! Her daughter Hope and her lawyers at The Abolitionist Law Center did an incredible job testifying on her behalf. During her 52 years behind prison walls, Mechie has written books on restorative justice and helped countless women at Muncy do the hard work of transformation. We cannot wait to welcome her back home once Gov. Shapiro signs off on her release.

We are equally thrilled that the Board also voted to commute the life sentence of our client Dannielle Hadley! The Board unanimously voted to commute the Death By Incarceration sentences of Mechie, Danielle, Kevin Charles, Thomas Mathis, and Ronald Weaver.

While we’re grateful to the Board for recognizing the hard work these individuals have done during their time inside, we want to acknowledge that each of them will walk free because of their own efforts to make amends for the harm they’ve caused. Each of them will be a gift to their communities out here.

Their organizing efforts expanded beyond prison walls, and community members out here also played a part in these freedom victories. The Abolitionist Law Center, Let's Get Free, Philly Muslim Freedom Fund, The Human Rights Coalition, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and countless community members across Pennsylvania called upon the Governor and Board of Pardons to Free Mechie and offer parole review to all lifers.

Mechie's story and the fight for her freedom were highlighted in the Philadelphia Inquirer in February. You can also read more about her win at the Board of Pardons in their follow-up story here. 

We will keep you posted on the release dates of the five people who won their freedom last Friday. We can’t wait to welcome them back home. In the meantime, we encourage you to get involved with the Commutation Now! Campaign and join us in continuing to advocate for parole review for everyone sentenced to Death By Incarceration.