For more than 40 years, PCJP has been tirelessly advocating for persons who are incarcerated
The Post-Conviction Justice Project at USC Gould School of Law fights for second chances — through parole representation, parole-readiness workshops in prisons, courtroom representation and legislative advocacy.
A clinical program directed by professors Heidi Rummel and Michael Brennan with certified law student interns, PCJP works with men and women — many sentenced to life-terms for crimes committed in their youth over 20 or 30 years ago. Since 2008, PCJP has co-sponsored or written nearly every juvenile justice bill in California, impacting tens of thousands of lives.
News
“Shining Star” Norma Cumpian Makes News Fighting for Change
Former PCJP client Norma Cumpian, who came home in 2010, was recently the subject of a feature story in The Sacramento Bee. The piece describes Norma’s journey to freedom and beyond as “a case study in how America’s understanding of domestic violence and treatment of prisoners has shifted and how a mother’s love for her son came to motivate life inside prison and out.”
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Alumni Spotlight: Alisa Blair (’02)
Current Position: Special Adviser to L.A. District Attorney George Gascon.
A native Angelino and mother of two, Alisa is now dedicating her life to improving the criminal legal system and demanding a more racially equitable society.
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Alumni Spotlight: Nina Rosser (’21)
While a student with PCJP, Nina won a hard-fought appeal in California’s First District Court of Appeal pertaining to juvenile culpability and the felony-murder law in California.
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Taking the Lead
Through litigation and, most broadly, through legislation, PCJP has led the way toward hope for incarcerated youth. Since 2008, PCJP has written or co-sponsored nearly every juvenile justice bill in California.
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Pardon Granted!
We are so excited to share that on January 13, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued “a full and unconditional pardon” to former PCJP client Romarilyn Ralston! The…
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From Hopeless to Free
Post-Conviction Justice Project changes lives of two clients By Lauren Rogers and Heidi Rummel Students in the Post-Conviction Justice Project, headed by Professors Michael Brennan and Heidi Rummel, recently won…
Keep reading“We believe in the power of hope.”
Co-Director
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Clients Assisted
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Law Students and Alumni
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Life-Term Clients Released
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Workshops in 20 Prisons
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Life-Without-Parole Clients Released
Experiential Learning
“Law school classes taught me to think like an attorney, but PCJP made me an attorney.”
— Alex Hurd, JD 2016
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