Author: Amy Ralston

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

Clemency and Pardon FAQs

As someone who has actually been through the process of filing and receiving executive clemency (I served 9 years of a 24 year sentence before being granted clemency by President Clinton),  I thought I would share some important factual Read the rest

How to Enhance Your Chances for Clemency

Executive Clemency Petition in Malibu, CA

Tips Prisoners Can Use to Enhance Chances at an Executive Clemency Petition in Malibu, CA.

If you are going to file a clemency petition please do not re-hash the particulars of your case. This … Read the rest

Moe Foley – 27.5 years for pot – NOW FREE!

Maurice Foley 

Maurice “Moe” Foley, #20211-068
Offense:  Conspiracy to distribute 700 – 1000 kilos of marijuana, plus 5 years for owning a gun which was locked in a safe
Sentence: 27 1/2 years
Incarcerated Since: 2003
Priors: juvenile offense for … Read the rest

Mary Ritcherson – After 30 YEARS – FREE AT LAST!

Formerly #11 on CAN-DO’s Top 25 List of Women Who Deserve Clemency 

mary_ritcherson_clemency_lgCONGRATULATIONS TO MARY – who walked out of prison on June 23rd after serving all of a very harsh 30-year sentence. Mary was given a bus ticket and … Read the rest

Elizabeth “Beth” Cronan – 28 Years – Receives 2 Point Reduction!

beth_cronan_clemency_lgCongratulations to Beth Cronan #14 on the Top 25.  Beth’s mother, Jeanne, wrote to CAN-DO’s Amy Povah, to say she is beside herself with joy.  Her dream to hold Beth in her arms again will finally come true.

The 2 … Read the rest

Chris Williams – 5 years State Sanctioned Medical Marijuana

Christopher Wayne Williams #11839-046
Offense:  Distribution of cannabis; Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime
Sentence: 60 months
Incarcerated Since: 2008
Priors: level 1 misdemeanors
Date of Birth: 6/8/1974
Family: 1 son
Forfeitures: Cash and possessions
Did Read the rest

Justice Denied: Paul Free’s Two-Decade Plus Quest for Freedom

MOTION DENIED

The ruling might as well have said “Justice Denied.”

Paul Free, serving a sentence of life without parole for a nonviolent marijuana conspiracy offense he says he can prove he did not commit, is used to such … Read the rest

Michael Pelletier – Serving Life for Pot

Michael Pelletier

At the CAN-DO Foundation, we like to help the public get to know the prisoners we advocate for on a personal level, so this month we’d like to introduce you to a remarkable man, Michael Pelletier.  A wheelchair … Read the rest

Prison Art — Oil Paintings by Michael Pelletier – Life for Pot

Inmate Michael Pelletier, a paraplegic since the age of 11, serving a sentence of LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE for a nonviolent, victimless marijuana conspiracy offense, is almost a very talented artist.  These are some of Michael’s prison art oil paintings … Read the rest

Therese Crepeau is FREE at LAST – Thanks to Drugs Minus Two!

CAN-DO NEWS – 2 Point Reduction In Action – Congrats to Therese Crepeau!

Congratulations to Therese Crepeau, who walked out of prison today after serving 21 years on a 26 year sentence thanks to the  new 2 Point Reduction program..  … Read the rest

Andy Cox – Life for Pot is NOW FREE due to Compassionate release!

Andy Cox was Serving Life for Pot and walked out of prison on 1/6/20. We are elated for Andy and his family!!! 

Please sign Andy Cox’s change.org petition

Name: Andrew Cox, #89487-020
DOB:
7/13/1963
Children: 3
Born and Raised: Vero … Read the rest

Antonio Bascaro – Served 39 years for pot – NOW FREE!

Antonio was #1 on Top 25 men deserving of clemency because he has served more time for pot than anyone in the nation.  But, today, May 1st he walked out of prison and into the arms of his loving family!
Read the rest

Charles “Fred” Cundiff – Received Clemency – 12/18/2015

We are happy to announce that Charles Cundiff serving life for pot won the clemency lottery.  On Jan. 12th, he arrived at a half-way house and could use financial assistance and clothes to start a new life.   Thank you Pres.

Read the rest

Miquelle West Introduces Amy to Russell Simmons

Meet My New BFF  by Amy Ralston Povah

On April 26th, Miquelle West, fashion stylist extraordinaire for Sean Combs company, Revolt TV and daughter of drug war lifer, Michelle West, came to Malibu so we could finally meet in person.  … Read the rest

Corvain Cooper – Life for Pot Clemency Granted on 1/20/21

Please sign Corvain Cooper’s change.org petition

Corvain Cooper, #643011-112
DOB:
11/2/1979
Age: 41
Children: 2 daughters
Residence: California 
Charges: Distributing Marijuana; Money Laundering;
Trial/Plea: Trial
Tried: Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte
Sentence: Life Without Parole
Incarcerated Since: 2014
Served:Read the rest

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