Because I am directly involved in Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's "Expedited Pardon Project," I have been generally disinclined to blog about the work of the program. But this recent local piece, headlined "Ohio governor pushes to grant more pardons," includes a terrific video of a recent pardon recipient that I was eager to share. Here is a snippet from the story that provides some context:
15 years ago, Mutajah “Taj” Hussein says she could hardly draw a sober breath. “During that time in my life, I experienced a level of hopelessness that most people can’t imagine,” Hussein said.
But that was 15 years ago. Now, she’s called, “Dr. Taj,” a badge she wears proudly. She’s a licensed independent social worker. She’s served diverse populations and has worked abroad. She plans to launch a mental wellness agency soon in Parma, Ohio and sit for the BAR exam next year. She wants to be a foster parent.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. B efore she said she, “built a spiritual connection with the universe” in 2007, she had her run-ins with Ohio’s criminal justice system. She said back then, it was like living on autopilot. Her only focus was finding the next drug fox or drink.
She eventually repaired her relationships and got on a path to right her wrongs. “I’m very close with my family now,” Hussein said. “Before, they hated to see me coming. Now they love it when I visit.”
Even while she was on the path to living her best life, Hussein still had a significant roadblock in her way: Her criminal history. “My past was like an albatross around my neck,” she said. “I’ve been denied apartments that I’ve fallen in love with because of my background check. I’ve been denied positions.”
She was denied her dream job. The offer was rescinded after her background check was complete. “I felt dejected,” she said. “I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare where no matter how much distance I put between myself and my past, it would never be enough. Although I’ve fought to redeem myself through restorative justice efforts, on paper, I was still just an addict.”...
The pardon process in Ohio can take years. But she got in touch with the people involved with the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project. It’s a partnership between Gov. Mike Dewine, Ohio State University and the University of Akron. Students and faculty from the universities review applications and figure out who is more likely to receive a pardon. The team works with applicants to help them through the process, which takes around six months to a year, instead of multiple years.
Gov. DeWine called Dr. Taj to give her the news on Good Friday. He pardoned her. “I’ve always had hope,” she said. “But now I’m fully redeemed in the eyes of the law. That’s a truly freeing feeling. I really feel like the sky is the limit for me, especially with this pardon. I can’t wait to see what the universe has in store for the rest of my life.”
Gov. DeWine has said he wants more low-level offenders to apply for pardons through the project that launched in Dec. 2019. Dr. Taj spoke as part of a panel Thursday night that answered questions about the expedited pardon process. Part of the panel’s goal was to raise awareness about the project in order to get more people to apply for a governor’s pardon....
DeWine hopes more people like Dr. Taj utilize the program to allow “model citizens” to maneuver what is usually a complicated and lengthy process. “My expedited pardon project can benefit Ohioans who are living in the shadow of a dark past and regretted mistake, giving them the opportunity to truly have a second chance to reach their full potential,” DeWine said.
Related posts and links:
- Honored to be helping Ohio Gov. DeWine with new "Expedited Pardon Project"
- Link to the webpage for the Expedited Pardon Project
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