Here & Now

Gov. Evers’ Pardon Advisory Board Explained

Zac Schultz:

Now to State Capitol news. Earlier this week, Governor Tony Evers issued the first pardons of his time in office and the first in Wisconsin in nine years, since former Governor Scott Walker disbanded the Pardon Advisory Board and refused to issue any at all. Joining us now is Noble Wray, a member of Governor Evers’ Pardon Advisory Board. Thanks for your time today.

Noble Wray:

Thank you.

Zac Schultz:

First off, let’s explain what a pardon is and is not in Wisconsin because it doesn’t erase the existence of a crime, correct?

Noble Wray:

No, it does not but it is — it comes from the word, sometimes used is “clemency.” It is a governor giving someone relief of their sentence. So that is erased. It is something that people explore to get erased. It is really important. It is something that people work for.

Zac Schultz:

Now, the Pardon Advisory Board received more than 200 requests off the top of Governor Evers being elected. What were you looking at in going through those applications?

Noble Wray:

We’re looking at a number of things. Governor Evers has laid out a very balanced approach and that is looking at the person’s crime that they committed, the level of seriousness. Looking at obviously they’ve completed it in a period of time that has gone by, roughly five or more years that we’re looking at. Along with that, what they have done in that period of time. You know, are they connected back in society? Are they going to school? What are they contributing? How are things going in their lives in general, which is really important. We also look at something that’s also important and key here, is we can’t forget the victim that was involved in some of these crimes that have been committed. So all of those things are considered when the advisory board is meeting and deliberating what recommendations we’re going to provide to the governor.

Zac Schultz:

In a statement, the governor used the term “forgiveness.” Does that mean that those who don’t receive a pardon are not forgiven? How does that word apply?

Noble Wray:

It’s really important. In the state of Wisconsin, I’m personally glad that the governor sought this out, to reinstitute the pardon board. This idea of redemption, that someone gets a second chance. It’s very important. I think it creates an environment where people that have had a — made a mistake in their life, that they know that if they get back, they get connected, they do a period of time where they’re not criminally involved. They’re providing for their family and friends and really engaging back into society, that they get a second chance. And that’s really important, and it’s important to the people that apply.

Zac Schultz:

Now, governors usually issue most of their pardons near the end of their time in office. Is there a political danger or risk in pardoning someone because if they reoffend then that implies something about the governor or the choice in the first place?

Noble Wray:

There’s always a possibility that something like that could happen. But I think that Governor Evers has really laid out some nice steps in there, some nice considerations. And that is, again, that period of time, how connected are they, what are they doing with their lives? Are they going to school? Are they going to work? All of those things are certain indications that this person has adjusted back properly into society.

Zac Schultz:

One of the bigger questions that came up in Governor Evers’ election was about drug crimes or things that we would look at differently today than we did when someone was sentenced. Is that something you’re taking under advisement?

Noble Wray:

All of those things are taken under advisement. The evolution of what happens with laws and changes of laws have really changed. At the federal level in terms of how they look at crack cocaine and cocaine base that has changed. Obviously where we were 10 to 15 years ago in this country with marijuana, you see that evolution that has changed. So I think it’s important and that’s what we’re trying to do, is to be responsive to the times, as well as, you know, we may have overshot what we did with that whole drug war. This is an opportunity to take a second look at that.

Zac Schultz:

Some of our viewers may remember that you were the chief of police for the Madison Police Department. How does your law enforcement background come into your choices on this Pardon Advisory Board?

Noble Wray:

I think it adds to the richness of our deliberation. There’s a nice mix, a diverse mix of people that are on the board that bring different insights. Everything from, you know, judges to, you know, people of faith talking about restorative justice, talking about the issues of victims in this whole thing. The balance of ensuring that we’re making sure that the people that are given pardons, that, you know, you know, safety and public safety is still an issue. So it is a very nice mix.

Zac Schultz:

Noble Wray, thank you for your time today.

Noble Wray:

Thank you.