Post-Conviction Justice Project

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Collage of Charles photographs with Ashely and the dogs from Trojan Family Magazine

Heidi Rummel, co-director of the Post-Conviction Justice Project, in a meeting with then-student Alex Kirkpatrick (JD 2017) and client Marvin Mutch. With PCJP’s representation, Mutch won parole after serving 40 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

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For over 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...

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...

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.

Taking the Lead

Through litigation and, most broadly, through legislation, PCJP has led the way toward hope for incarcerated youth. Since 2008, PCJP...

Tall black woman holding microphone, seated in a chair next to older white man, speaking into microphone

Compassion and Transformation

Former PCJP client and transgender rights advocate Celia Perez and Homeboy Industries founder Father Gregory Boyle shared stories of boundless...

Pardon Granted!

We are so excited to share that on January 13, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued “a full and unconditional pardon”...

At a Glance

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Clients Assisted

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Life-Term Clients Released

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Law Students and Alumni

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Workshops in 20 Prisons

“We believe in the power of hope.”

Heidi Rummel

Co-Director

Experiential Learning

“Law school classes taught me to think like an attorney, but PCJP made me an attorney.”

— Alex Hurd, JD 2016