effective october 1, 2006, provisional pardons
will be
available to individuals who are still on probation or parole
See 'pardon Hearing Dates' page
for provisional pardon calendar
PROVISIONAL PARDONS (§§ 84-87)
The act authorizes the Board of Pardons and Paroles to issue provisional pardons to remove
certain barriers or forfeitures to offenders obtaining employment or an occupational license due
to the conviction of crimes named in the provisional pardon.
The act allows the board to issue a provisional pardon any time after sentencing to a
person who applies for one or who is under the board's jurisdiction if (1) the person was
convicted of a crime in Connecticut or another jurisdiction and resides in the state and
(2) the relief in the provisional pardon may promote the public policy of rehabilitating
ex-offenders through employment and is consistent with the public's interest in safety
and protecting property.
The act prohibits employers from denying employment to a prospective employee
or discharging or discriminating against an employee solely on the basis of a
conviction that occurred before his employment for which the person received
a provisional pardon. By law, these prohibitions already apply to prior arrests, criminal
charges, or legally erased records of convictions (for delinquencies, families with service
needs, youthful offenders, criminal charges that were dismissed or nolled, criminal charges
resulting in not guilty verdicts, and pardoned convictions).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2006
Barriers and Forfeitures
Under the act, a provisional pardon can apply to all of the eligible barriers or forfeitures or it can
specify particular ones. It can limit the provisional pardon to specific types of employment or
licenses for which the offender is otherwise qualified.
A “barrier” is the denial of employment or a license because of a criminal conviction without
considering whether the nature of the crime bears a direct relationship to the employment or
license. A “forfeiture” is a disqualification or ineligibility for employment or a license by reason
of law based on the offender's criminal conviction.
“Employment” is any remunerative work, occupation, vocation, or any form of vocational
training, but not employment with law enforcement.
A “license” is any license, permit, certificate, or registration the state or any of its agencies
require to pursue, practice, or engage in an occupation, trade, vocation, profession, or business.
The provisional pardon cannot apply to eligibility for or the right to retain public office.
Issuing Provisional Pardons
Under the act, the board creates the forms and prescribes the contents for provisional
pardons and their applications, investigative reports, and revocations. The board must
verify the person's application. Board staff can investigate an applicant and submit a
report. If written, the report is confidential and cannot be disclosed except as required
or permitted by statute or on the board's specific authorization.
When it grants a provisional pardon, the act requires the board to provide written notice
to the clerk of the court here the person was convicted. This does not erase the conviction
record and the person must disclose the conviction if required.
The act authorizes the board to enlarge the relief granted to a person in a provisional
pardon by issuing a new one under the same procedures as for granting original provisional pardons.
A provisional pardon is considered temporary any time that the offender is on probation
or parole, and the board can revoke it for a probation or parole violation. Be sure to include the
following items:
PROVISIONAL PARDON APPLICATION
CHECKLIST
Use the same application
for Provisional Pardons as for Expungement Pardons
For more information on Provisional Pardons, contact the Board of Pardons and Parole by
calling the Pardon Unit at (203) 805-6643, or by mail at:
Connecticut Board of Pardons & Parole
Central Office
55 West Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
Ready to move forward? Need more information? Click the Contact Us
link.
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