Author: Amy Ralston

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

Welcome to CAN-DO: Justice Through Clemency

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Welcome to CAN-DO: justice through clemency

CANDO is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit foundation that advocates Clemency for All Non-violent Drug Offenders. CAN-DO has access to numerous cases, many of which are presented on … Read the rest

Therese Crepeau – IS NOW FREE – thanks to the 2 pt reduction

 

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Therese Crepeau was #9 on Top 25

Read more about Therese’s victory.

Age: 44 years
Race: Asian American
Sentenced: Feb 1994
Sentence: 35 years, reduced to 26 years 10 months
Release Date: July 2017
Priors: Misdemeanors – DUI, … Read the rest

Elizabeth “Beth” Cronan – 28 Years – IS NOW FREE! Receives 2 pt reduction!

Congratulations to Beth who is now FREE!

beth_cronan_clemency_lgElizabeth “Beth” Cronan

Age: 54
Race: White
Children: 3 children – 7 grandchildren
Charge: Conspiracy to Manufacture with intent to Distribute Meth
Priors: First Offense
Sentence: 28 years
Sentenced: 1998
Served: 16 years… Read the rest

Mary Rose Ziman – 27 Years – NOW FREE!

Congratulations to Mary Ziman – she is finally free.  Her son Corey picked her up from FCI Greenville and here are the photos of her happy freedom day!

She had been hospitalized several times, blind in one eye – losing … Read the rest

Congrats to Cynthia Shank – 15 Years – Received Clemency on 11/22/16

CAN-DO received a phone call from Rudy Valdez, Cindy’s brother that his sister received clemency this morning(11/22/2016) – before the list was released.  We are elated because we have been communicating with Rudy and Cindy for many years now – … Read the rest

Mandy Martinson – 15 Years – Received Clemency 12/16/16

Congratulations to Mandy Martinson who received clemency from a 15 year sentence!

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Mandy Martinson
Age: 37
Charge: Conspiracy to Distribute Meth
Priors: First Offense
Sentence: 15 years
Served: 12 years
Sentenced: 2005
Release Date: 10/21/2017 – due for release to … Read the rest

Teresa Mechell Griffin Received Clemency on June 3, Serving Life Sentence

CONGRATULATIONS to Teresa Mechell Griffin – was #6 on CAN-DO’s Top 25 

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Age: 50 (in a few days)
DOB: 06/08/1966
Children: 4 children, 2 grandchildren
Race: African American
Charge: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base
Served: 26 yrs
Sentenced: 1992
Sentence:Read the rest

John Knock – Serving Life for Pot – Clemency Granted 1/20/21. Congrats Beth Curtis – Life for pot!

Congratulations to John Knock who was serving Life for Pot!

He is NOW FREE and HOME with his loved ones! 

John Knock #11150-017
First time offender

http://www.johnknock.com
http://www.lifeforpot.com

Raised: Nebraska
Tried: Florida
Will live: Philadelphia
Offense:
Conspiracy to import, Conspiracy … Read the rest

Deniese Watts – 19 Years 7 Months – NOW FREE – 2 pt reduction!

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 Formerly #18 on the Top 25 Women Who Deserve Clemency
Deniese Watts 07314-424
Age: 51
DOB: 11/16/1963
Children: 1 son
Race: African American
Children: 1 son
Charge: Conspiracy to Import Heroin, money laundering
Self-Surrendered: 2000
Sentence: 19 years 7 months… Read the rest

Sharanda Purlette Jones – Serving Life Received Clemency on 12/18/15

Sharanda Jones, #5 on CAN-DOs Top 25 Women received clemency from President Obama. We are elated that this long overdue battle for justice has finally come to fruition.  We hope Sharanda and her daughter will now enter a new chapter Read the rest

Irma Alred – 30 Years for Pot – is NOW FREE – Drugs Minus Two!

Irma was released on Oct 30th and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to live with her family.  Thanks to Drugs Minus Two, she got 70 months taken off her 30 year sentence.

Irma Alred is NOW FREE and called Amy … Read the rest

Rita Becerra – 1st Offender – 27 Years – NOW FREE!

in Mexico. She came to the United States when she was 12 years old.

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Rita Becerra 25886-077
DOB:
May 22, 1951
Age: 63
Children: 1 daughter, 1 son and 4 grandchildren
Race: Hispanic
Raised: Dallas, Texas
Tried: Austin, Texas
Will Read the rest

RIP: Ramona Brant received clemency on 12/18/15, set FREE on 2/2/2016 and tragically passed 2/25/18

 WATCH RAMONA WALK FREE AFTER 21 YEARS!  CAN-DO teamed up Ramona with Casey Tolan of Fusion who wrote about her story and shot this video.

Ramona Brant FreeRamona Brant who was #3 on CAN-DOs Top 25 Women received clemency from President Obama. Read the rest

Angie Jenkins – Serving 30 Years Received Clemency

Angie Jenkins, #10 on the Top 25 Women Received Clemency on 12/18/2015.  We are so happy for Angie and her family. Angie was featured in this article in Truth Out.org on 9/11/2015 entitled: Mothers Serving Long-Term Drug Sentences Call for Read the rest

Lori Kavitz – 1st Offender – 24 Years IS NOW FREE!!!!

Lori Kavitz called CANDO from the airport in Orlando on May 16, 2018 – her freedom day! 

Sent. Judge Mark Bennett supports Lori’s clemency

lori_kavitz_clemency_lg Lori Kavitz 02310-029
DOB:
10/15/58
Race: White
Children: 2 sons, 3 grandchildren
Charge: Conspiracy to Distribute … Read the rest

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