Justice Department Updates Prison Sentence Petition Form
Published Date: 7/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Justice wants to update the form people use to ask for a shorter prison sentence, called a Petition for Commutation of Sentence. They’re asking for public feedback over the next 60 days to make sure the form is clear, useful, and easy to fill out—especially online. This update aims to reduce hassle and save time for everyone involved, with no new fees or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Information Use and Agency Notifications
The information you provide on the commutation petition will be used to verify identity and to investigate your background and criminal records. The Office of the Pardon Attorney will use this information to notify the Bureau of Prisons, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, U.S. Probation Offices, and federal courts in the event of grants of executive clemency.
Updated Commutation Form to Reduce Burden
If you apply for a commutation of sentence, the Department of Justice is revising the Petition for Commutation of Sentence to make the form clearer and easier to fill out, especially online. The agency says between 5,000 and 6,000 applicants complete the petition each year and currently estimates an average of 2 hours per applicant, for a total of 10,000 to 12,000 annual burden hours; the update states there will be no new fees or costs.
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