Following this week’s Pardon Me screening at Allentown Symphony Hall, about 150 attendees—largely community members—joined a conversation on second chances, workforce access, and the long-term impact of criminal records.

Lehigh County’s Pardon Project continues to gain traction. Since establishing the program and becoming the first county in Pennsylvania to hire a dedicated pardon coordinator within the Public Defender’s Office:

• 143 individuals have applied
• 70 applications have been qualified and submitted
• 28 are now fully completed and awaiting Board of Pardons hearings

“Lehigh County Public Defender Kim Makoul deserves all the credit for making Lehigh the only county with a part-time coordinator for the Pardon Project,” said County Executive Josh Siegel. “They are assisting folks who have paid their debt to society get back to being able to find a job, find housing and contribute to our community once again… we believe in second chances.”

Information provided to TVL by:
Tiffany Sondergaard