Photo Provided Gov. Mike DeWine displays a pardon signed Thursday for Valerie Thomas, pictured far left.

CLEVELAND — During a celebration at Cleveland State University on Thursday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that nearly 200 people have been pardoned in the first five years of the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project.

DeWine launched the project in December 2019 to simplify and expedite the lengthy pardon application process for certain rehabilitated citizens who have consistently demonstrated that they’ve become law-abiding, contributing members of society in the years since their convictions.

As of today, 182 individuals have received expedited pardons through the program, including 74 people pardoned in the past 12 months alone.

Two pardon recipients stood with DeWine Thursday as he signed their pardons.

“Even for those who’ve learned from their mistakes and have gone on to live good lives, a criminal history shuts the door on certain career, education, and volunteer opportunities,” DeWine said. “Through the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, we are helping to remove the obstacles for those who have become upstanding citizens.”

The Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project eliminates administrative hurdles in the complex pardon application process and provides free one-on-one support from partnering law schools in Ohio.

Pardon requests submitted through the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project are also fast-tracked for consideration by the Ohio Parole Board and, ultimately, the governor.

The program operates in partnership between the Ohio Governor’s Office, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, the University of Akron School of Law, Cleveland State University College of Law, the University of Dayton School of Law, and the Ohio Justice & Policy Center in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Since 2019, 543 applicants have met the criteria to participate in the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project with more than 275 people currently in various stages of the expedited pardon application process.

To be accepted into the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, applicants must meet various program requirements.

Those who do not qualify for the program may still apply for a pardon through the traditional application route.

Since the creation of the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, Ohio law has changed to allow the governor to automatically seal the records of those who have received a pardon. Anyone pardoned before September 2021 can also take steps to have their record sealed.

For more information on the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, including how to apply and minimum eligibility requirements, visit ohioexpeditedpardon.org.