Idaho grants 39 of 52 pardon requests in 2026
Joe Howell of Boise receives a pardon for a 1999 felony after two previous denials.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
The Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole granted 39 pardons this year out of 52 total requests. This approval rate impacts residents who seek legal closure on past convictions, potentially affecting their housing, employment, or ability to volunteer in schools. The commission noted that applicants pursue these decisions for various personal and practical reasons.
Joe Howell, a Boise native, received one of the 39 pardons in October 2026. Howell owns Joe's House, a halfway home on the Boise Bench that provides housing for men re-entering society from incarceration. His pardon clears a 1999 felony conviction for delivering a controlled substance, a charge he committed at age 18. Howell described receiving the pardon as a moment of disbelief and one of his happier life experiences.
Howell applied for the pardon in 2017 but was denied. He submitted a second application a few years later, which was also rejected. He cited a change in his lifestyle since his last attempt, noting he has not consumed alcohol in over five years. The commission reviews each case based on state requirements, allowing applicants to make their case for why a pardon is appropriate for their specific situation.
Before his 1999 conviction, Howell grew up in Boise and competed in 4-H, where he won awards. He said he changed his social circle in high school, associating with peers he described as troublemakers. He served his time and left parole in 2010, but the conviction remained on his record until the recent pardon. Howell stated the pardon concludes that chapter of his life, allowing him to move forward without the weight of the past conviction.
The commission handles a volume of requests annually, with each application requiring a review of the applicant's history and current status. Howell now operates Joe's House, where he works with formerly incarcerated individuals to help them establish stability. He emphasized that an individual's past does not have to dictate their future identity, focusing instead on current actions and future goals. The pardon allows Howell to fully participate in his community without the legal barrier of the 1999 felony.
Howell's case is part of the 39 approvals granted by the commission this year. The remaining 13 requests were not granted. The process involves meeting specific state criteria and presenting arguments to the board. For Howell, the decision provides a formal legal reset after two decades of living with the conviction. He continues to run the halfway home on the Boise Bench, supporting other men in their reentry journeys.
The Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole makes these determinations based on individual circumstances. Howell's pardon is effective immediately following the October decision. He uses his experience to advise clients at Joe's House, helping them navigate their own paths after incarceration. The 39 pardons granted this year reflect the commission's ongoing work in reviewing long-standing convictions across the state.
