Ryan Allen Hancock Discusses Pardons as an Economic Strategy During Virtual Town Hall

Willig, Williams & Davidson’s Ryan Allen Hancock Discusses Pardons as an Economic Strategy During Virtual Town Hall Hosted by Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

Of Counsel attorney Ryan Allen Hancock recently participated in a panel discussion during a virtual town hall presented by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. Entitled “The Economic Impact of Pardons: Evaluating a Decade of Data in Pennsylvania,” the discussion drew upon a new study by the Economy League.

To kick off the virtual town hall, the study’s primary author, Ellen Spolar, presented a summary of the report’s findings. Released in April 2020, the report, “Pardons as an Economic Investment Strategy: Evaluating a Decade of Data in Pennsylvania,” is available to download from the Economy League’s website. The project was sponsored by the Lenfest Foundation.

During the panel discussion, Hancock highlighted the importance of and unique benefits of pardons, the scope of the impact that pardons can have, and the benefits that come when individuals have a fair opportunity to succeed in life after they have served their time.

Mohona Siddique, project manager at the Economy League, moderated the panel. Additional panelists included:

John Fetterman, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Earl Buford, CEO, Partner for Work
Dr. Nikia Owens, Managing Director of Financial Empowerment, United Way GPSJ

The report concluded that individuals who encounter the criminal justice system are, in many ways, permanently bound to and even defined by their criminal records. From being prohibited from living in public housing, to losing access to public benefits, from being prohibited by law from working in certain industries, to being denied state licenses for not having the requisite “good moral character,” the formal and informal barriers created by a criminal record expand an individual’s punishment well beyond the criminal justice system.

The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia addresses critical issues facing Greater Philadelphia by providing impactful research, connecting diverse leaders, and advancing shared solutions. Since its founding in 1909, the Economy League has believed that high-quality analysis and practical insight about the region’s most important challenges and opportunities, combined with collaborative, cross-sector leadership are crucial drivers of prosperity in Greater Philadelphia.

Listen to the full panel discussion here.