Press Releases
Jun 21, 2021
Alabama's Board of Pardons and Paroles Denies Restoration of Civil Rights
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Campaign for Smart Justice with ACLU of Alabama has uncovered an unacceptable drop in pardons granted to Alabamians. In a newly published report, the ACLU o...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jan 28, 2021
Six-Figure ACLU Ad Buy Pushes Biden to Honor Decarceration Promise Through Clemency
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced a slate of executive orders on racial justice. Notably missing was any executive action to boldly use his power of cle...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Criminal Law Reform
Aug 05, 2020
ACLU Launches Multi-Year Effort to Release 50,000 from Prisons Through Gubernatorial Clemency Powers
Cyntoia Brown Long, Chesa Boudin, and Jason Hernandez to Headline Campaign Kickoff Event at 7 p.m. ET
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jun 06, 2018
President Commutes Life-Without-Parole Sentence of Alice Marie Johnson
Mother of Five Was Imprisoned in 1996 for a Nonviolent Drug Offense Without the Possibility of Parole
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jan 19, 2017
President Grants Commutations to 330 Federal Prisoners, Including Robert Riley
WASHINGTON — President Obama today announced 330 grants of commutation. His total for his eight years in office is 1,715 commutations, 568 of which were for people serving life s...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Nov 22, 2016
President Obama Grants Commutations to 79 Federal Prisoners
WASHINGTON – After commuting the sentences of 72 prisoners earlier this month, President Obama today commuted the sentences of 79 more prisoners. Of today's 79 grants, 54 were in...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
About the ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union has media staff available to handle inquiries from journalists on national issues affecting civil liberties, including questions on legislative matters that touch on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms and inquiries related to ACLU lawsuits.
To schedule an interview with an ACLU expert, email media@aclu.org.
Contact an ACLU Affiliate
The ACLU has 54 local offices across the U.S. working with attorneys and activists in their communities to shape better policies and spread awareness about their states' priority civil rights issues.
Local inquiries should be directed to the appropriate ACLU state affiliate.
The Latest
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News & CommentaryAug 2026
Clemency and Pardons
Despite 'new' Updates, Flock's Creepy Cameras Remain Major Civil Liberties Threat. Explore News & Commentary.Despite 'New' Updates, Flock's Creepy Cameras Remain Major Civil Liberties Threat
In response to Flock’s announcement of operational changes, the ACLU breaks down why many fall short. -
News & CommentaryAug 2026
Clemency and Pardons
Veterans Share Why The Military Is Stronger When Women Can Serve In Ground Combat Roles. Explore News & Commentary.Veterans Share Why the Military Is Stronger When Women Can Serve in Ground Combat Roles
Veterans reflect on their military service, the requirements of ground combat occupations, and the decade-long integration of women into those roles. -
News & CommentaryAug 2026
Clemency and Pardons
Immigrants' Rights
Ice Agents To Wear Body Cameras But The Fix Is In. Explore News & Commentary.ICE Agents to Wear Body Cameras But the Fix is In
The technology appears unlikely to constrain the immigration agencies; much more sweeping reforms are needed -
News & CommentaryAug 2026
Clemency and Pardons
+2 Issues
States Are Punishing Women Who Survive Violence With Incarceration. They Deserve Clemency.. Explore News & Commentary.States are Punishing Women Who Survive Violence with Incarceration. They Deserve Clemency.
One woman violently forced into assisting a murder seeks clemency in Michigan. Author and journalist Justine van der Leun calls for states to enact laws protecting criminalized survivors.