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Applicable Form of Executive Clemency: Commutation of Sentence

Eligibility: All inmates are eligible to apply.

Application Process: Although the Governor has the authority to commute sentences, he or she relies on the Board of Parole to refer cases for consideration. The process is usually initiated at the request of an inmate by his or her caseworker. Inmates can also submit a written request for a commutation of sentence to:

Board of Parole
3120 Old Faithful Suite 100
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Tel: (307) 777-5444
Fax: (307) 777-5386
Email: mbrazz@wdoc.state.wy.us

Click here for the Wyoming Board of Parole website.

Working with the inmate, the caseworker will prepare a commutation request to be forwarded to the Board. Typical information in the commutation request package includes, but is not limited to:

· Name
· Prison location
· Criminal history
· Education
· Involvement in programs
· Inmate's attitude toward rehabilitation
· Recommendation of the institution
· A letter from the inmate

Commutation of sentence requests are initially addressed before the three-member panel that conducts the inmate's annual review hearing, but may be brought before the Board prior to such hearing if the warden presents the inmate's case as a special one. Recently, the Board of Parole, which has a total of seven members, agreed to have the three-member panel forward any commutation recommendation to a quorum (four members) of the Board for further review and to decide whether the case will be forwarded to the Governor.

Before a decision is made by the Board, comment is requested from the prosecuting attorney, from the sentencing court, and from the victim or victim's family. Once all the information is reviewed by the Board, its recommendation and the file is forwarded to the Governor for determination.