Author: Amy Ralston

Amy Ralston Povah is a clemency recipient under President Clinton, an award winning filmmaker, and founder of the CAN-DO Foundation.

Lamont Glass-21 years 10 months-Received Clemency on May 3, 2015

Name: Lamont Glass
DOB: August 7, 1972
Age: 44
Children: 4 daughters, 1 son
Grandchildren: 1
Grew up: Knoxville, TN
Tried: Knoxville, TN
Now lives: Knoxville, TN
Charge: Possession with intent to deliver cocaine base; felon in possession of … Read the rest

Jamael Nettles – 30 years – Received Clemency on 12/19/2016

Name: Jamael Nettles
DOB:
1/15/87
Age: 30
Children: 1
Grew up: Mobile, AL
Tried in: Mobile, AL
Will Live: in Mobile, AL until released from probation, then relocate to Houston, TX
Charge: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine (under … Read the rest

Drug War Stories profiled Amy Povah of CAN-DO

Drug War Stories interviewed Amy Povah of CAN-DO in a Q and A about her activism, Obama’s clemency initiative, the drug war, the Trump administration, and what is on the horizon at CAN-DO.  Read the whole story here. 

 

 … Read the rest

Amy Povah on Lions of Liberty podcast

Amy Povah was interviewed by John Odermatt for Lions of Liberty’s Felony Friday. She talked about her case, the conspiracy law, clemency and why we need more conspiracy cases scrutinized to understand the fundamental injustices and abuse that people … Read the rest

Malik King on Lions of Liberty podcast

Malik King was interviewed by John Odermatt of Lions of Liberty on April 14th for their segment called Felony Friday, about his communications with prisoners and the relationship he has garnered over the years that has made him a … Read the rest

CAN-DO’s Amy Povah recognized by High Times on Women’s Day!

 

Today is International Women’s Day and HIGH TIMES would like to recognize and salute the women in our community who have worked shoulder-to-shoulder to help bring about the legalization of cannabis in its various forms.

Legalization, decriminalization and putting … Read the rest

“Weed not a factor” in war on drugs

Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly made headlines for his comments on Sunday’s Meet the Press, when he pronounced that marijuana is “not a factor” in the War on Drugs and that solving the nation’s drug problem does not … Read the rest

Pot Lifer, Ferrell Scott in High Times

 

In 2007, Ferrell Scott was sentenced to life in prison, without parole, for possessing and conspiring to sell marijuana. Scott had no priors and has had perfect prison conduct. Yet when he appealed to President Obama for clemency, he … Read the rest

Federal Sentencing Guideline Chart

It’s important to understand how federal defendants are sentenced by judges who no longer have the ability to judge the mitigating circumstances of any given human being standing before them.  Doesn’t matter if a woman was a victim of well … Read the rest

“Women in Prison” in Congressional Quarterly

Sarah Glazer has written a thorough report on Women in Prison for Congressional Quarterly, citing CAN-DO, quoting CAN-DO President Amy Povah, and closing the article with the following:

However, Povah, whose organization CAN-DO helped women prisoners file clemency petitions, … Read the rest

Michelle West and William Underwood in Truthout

Victoria Law of Truthout focused on Michelle West, William Underwood and Leonard Pelletier who were championed by the media, clemency advocates, politicians and high profile celebs.  Most believe these people have already served far too many years in prison and … Read the rest

CAN-DO in the Outline – Post Clemency Intiative

The Outline featured several clemency recipients in an article by Marisa Aveling, including Schearean Means; #5 on the CAN-DO Top 25 Women.

“I think clemency was Obama’s way of performing triage on the broken criminal justice system, and for … Read the rest

Clemency for Tim Tyler – Life Without Parole Received CLEMENCY on 8-30!!!!

Message from Tim: 

At 3:19 pm on 8-30-16
Hi, I was just called to the office and talked to Professor Ogilvy at the Catholic University. He informed me that I received clemency today. It will be a two year release … Read the rest

The irony of David Barren’s clemency in Reason…

CAN-DO Vice President Anrica Caldwell worked with C.J. Ciarmella, a reporter for Reason to delve into the ironic nature of her fiancé, David Barren’s clemency:

“I’ve been commuted,” he told Caldwell in a flat voice, before pausing to take a … Read the rest

Danielle Metz – Serving Life – Received CLEMENCY on 8/30/16

For Gleneisha Hayter, (Danielle’s daughter) Carl Jr. (Danielle’s son) Adrian Bernard, (Danielle’s sister) and Barbara (Danielle’s mom) and all her friends, family, advocates and loved ones, the nightmare is OVER!  Danielle and her family are overjoyed to finally receive the … Read the rest

Scroll to top