President Joe Biden recently granted clemency to nearly 1500 Americans.

In addition to the pardon, he gave his son Hunter earlier this month.

>> That executive clemency is designed to extend mercy and restore opportunity for people convicted of crimes and have demonstrated successful rehabilitation but in Illinois that grace has been slow to come for people with criminal records, some of whom are still in prison.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which processes applications for clemency says this year.

Governor JB Pritzker has granted only 6 clemency petitions compared to 57 in 2023 11 in 2022.

But he granted 144 in 2020 2021 each.

Here's a look at how the process works in Illinois and what it means for people who are waiting.

It's the thought of these 2 young boys that brings tears to Alberto Zavala size.

>> Everything that I've done be is has been because of Ultimate goal is to get back to >> These young boys are now young men who grew up while their father serves his 56 year sentence in Illinois.

Department of Corrections.

>> They inspire me to do better could be better because I want them to know that I'm not defined by my bad decisions.

>> 48 year-old Zavala known as do isn't scheduled for release until 2054.

He's been behind bars for 22 years currently at Hill Correctional Center in Northwestern Illinois.

Over the years he says he's taken every educational opportunity he can find.

>> Foundations to criminology, law politics and mass incarceration.

I'm asking any clash.

A feminist class.

I took the inside out that that's one of the first classes that I took the inside out that >> All not just to be a better father for his sons, but also with the hopes of earning his release sooner than 2054, the fall is one of 1100 people who submitted petitions for clemency to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board in 2021 alone.

He's one of 535 that landed on Governor JB Pritzker's desk.

He's likely one of hundreds still sitting on the governor's desk awaiting an answer.

So it's been 2 and a half years.

What have you been thinking for the last 2 and a half years?

>> What more can I do?

>> It seems like an Illinois clemency is really one of the only options to get people out of prison.

>> Clemency is the only option in the state of Illinois that anyone who's incarcerated can about themselves out.

There are other mechanisms for folks to be released, but they're extremely narrow.

So for the vast majority of people, there is no mechanism to say, hey, my sentence, no longer make sense, restoration no longer makes sense.

Other than clemency.

>> Here's how the process works with or without an attorney, an incarcerated person petitions.

The Illinois Prb, you're recognized minimum and is granted a hearing to make their case heard outdated is 20 you is too harsh, successful clemency.

Petitions show the incarcerated person as they are today.

>> They talk about the increased person's relationship with their loved ones.

They talk about the sort of path of rehabilitation from their initial restoration to today.

They show hopes and dreams and what they'll do for their community if they're able to return home your mother that I said, you've got As in most cases, fallen a statement of remorse for the murder that happened back in It reads in part, quote.

>> I know I wasn't very and I didn't pull the trigger, but it feels like I did this because Philip McGovern lost his life over what I put in motion, which ultimately led to his death.

Zavala was convicted for murder on the theory of accountability, meaning because he sent men to rob the victim to pay a drug debt.

He, too, is responsible for the murder that happened when the robbery went wrong.

>> Somebody batos age and given that the period of time he served as a likely recidivism rate of around one percent.

They do is like thousands of other people, though, in this regard for continued incarceration makes absolutely no sense from a public safety perspective.

>> But in addition to looking at who petitioners are today, board members must also consider their victims and loved ones.

>> We hear their pleas and those victims, least on me sentences for incarcerated people.

Their their protests carry great weight with the board.

victimization is multigenerational.

Victim protest is very important to be heard.

>> Craig friendly served under 5 governors on the prb several times as chair.

He says board members consider both the crime all those years ago.

Governor and the person in front of them read full important petitioners statement about.

>> The facts of the crime that led to their incarceration.

They admit guilt.

And if so.

Tell us what led to that and what you've learned from that crime.

We want them to tell us about what the future will hold their teams But another concern.

But advocates have about the process.

Once the petition is sent from the prb to the governor.

At that point, the whole application is in the governor's hands.

>> At that point, the system is a black box and that's by law.

Findley says that confidentiality is to protect the victim's privacy as well as the process itself.

>> And I don't see a remedy and don't know that there is a remedy that would provide transportation transparency to the point that breach are confidential.

reporting and would pressure the governor to make a decision before here She is ready to make that decision.

And that decision can take We have had cases where a person's committee that she was granted in a matter of weeks after we filed >> We also have cases right now that were filed in 2020 and are still pending.

>> Thank Everybody came in here it's important to remember, Chris, a review board has a vote, great deal of their work, too willing these these petitions that can run into many hundreds of pages.

>> For us to to review those and distill them into.

for Lisa Cink report to the governor takes a lot of time.

I don't know where.

>> As a person with nothing but time Allah is prepared to wait and maintain hope.

>> I have a lot of plans upon the release from prison.

I want to start my own trucking from one to start nonprofit location old re-entry trucking school.

>> know that truck.

A lot of maturity.

And did you learn it while you're in was last time you drove a truck.

never trust Because prior to being incarcerated that I one of the youngest overhead crane operator is a centrist still Everybody has to just got to bring >> A statement from Governor Pritzker's spokesperson says, quote, since taking office, Governor Pritzker has focused on creating a more equitable safe and efficient criminal justice system in Illinois.

Governor Pritzker has signed 389 clemency.

Petitions exceeding many other states.

Well, there is more work to be done, reviewing cases and performing the system.

Governor Pritzker is proud to made Illinois a leader on clemency, action and prioritized justice.

His office also points out that while clemency is an important tool, the governor also supports additional pathways for individuals to move past their prior convictions and tune in to Wt Tw on Friday, December 27th for the film in their hands tells the story of