A Conversation with William Allen: Correcting a Fundamental Unfairness Through the Clemency Process

In January 2022, William Allen was granted clemency by Governor Baker after 28 years of incarceration for felony murder for his participation in a robbery. William and his attorney, Patty DeJuneas, fought for years to convince Baker and the Governor’s Council to commute his sentence, which is a constitutionally provided procedure for individuals serving life without the possibility of parole. At this event, hosted by Northeastern Law’s Center for Public Interest Advocacy and Collaboration (CPIAC), William and Patty talked about the clemency process, Allen’s many successes while incarcerated, the unavailability of programming for lifers and barriers to re-entry.