Governor Otter Issues Pardon to Rehabilitated Offender

Press Release

Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter announced today the pardon of Ronald Steven Parker, who successfully completed his probation and jail sentence more than 30 years ago after his conviction for delivery of a controlled substance.

Parker was convicted in 1976 and 1981 on three counts of selling marijuana for which he served a 90 day jail sentence and 8 years of probation. Once served, Parker began an effort to rehabilitate his life by focusing on his family, his church and a successful 30-year career with a Treasure Valley high-tech company. Since his retirement, Parker has remained very active in his church and as a volunteer for a local food bank.

"While it is true every sinner has a past, it is also true they have a future. Key to defining that future is whether an offender avails him or herself to the difficult soul-searching needed to achieve meaningful rehabilitation and redemption," the Governor said. "Often times, an offender is not up to the task because it is too hard. But Ronald Parker has not only done that heavy lifting, he has repaid his debt to society, taken responsibility for his actions and has lived a life that other offenders in our system would do well to emulate."

Governor Otter granted the pardon at the unanimous recommendation of the Idaho Commission for Pardons and Parole and after a thorough review of their records. "The Commission is proud to support a pardon for Mr. Parker and grateful for the Governor's decision to grant it," said Commission Pardons and Parole Director Sandy Jones. The Governor also made an unannounced visit to Parker's place of employment prior to granting the pardon to discuss the former felon's application.

"I ask for a pardon with a desire to show that a person, no matter what their past, can grow into a moral, responsible and positive contributor to society," Parker wrote in his application to the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. "I am not the same person I was when I committed those crimes. Turning my life over to Christ in April of 1991 brought peace and a realization that life is about being of service to others and not about serving oneself."

This is only the fourth pardon Governor Otter has issued during his tenure in office. Previously the Governor pardoned two men in 2013 and another earlier this year, all were drug related offenses.

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