Research & Publications

Though this may seem like a bleak picture I’m painting of LGBTQ+ Kansans’ experiences, it’s important that we remember it does not have to be this way. In fact, most Kansans want to protect LGBTQ+ people—67% of Kansans support LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections.

Four of our women clemency clients between them have started a hospice program, worked in the dog training program, and completed dozens of classes. They all deserve consideration for release. They deserve justice.

As two of our Clemency Project clients, Joseph Jones and Dominic Holder, are released from prison after being granted clemency, they know better than the rest how important home really is.

Last week, Governor Kelly granted executive clemency to eight Kansans, including three ACLU of Kansas clients. This news came over a year after we started the Clemency Project.

Last year, the ACLU of Kansas launched the Clemency Project, and we’ve filed 108 applications for Clemency with Governor Kelly’s Office. Sharon Brett, Legal Director at the ACLU of Kansas, answers frequently asked questions about the project.

Ronald Pursley, 63, is slated for release on October 25, 2021. At the time of his application last year, he’d suffered from congestive heart failure and heart attack history, and his health has worsened since then. Despite these challenges, the warden last month denied his application for release.