The AP is reporting that Ex-Gov. Ryan Issued Hundreds of Pardons while in office.

Once again, we salute former Governor Ryan. The majority of the pardons he issued were for "ordinary people pleading to purge their records of minor offenses. Many blamed their crimes on immaturity, drug addiction, an abusive childhood or falling in with the wrong crowd. Their offenses included credit card and insurance fraud, shoplifting, sexual abuse, battery and drug possession."

Many states allow exungement for these offenses. Others don't. The pardons allow these people who have already served their time or other consequences of their convictions, to be free of the stigma when applying for jobs and/or professional licenses. We can't think of a better way of ensuring that these former offenders become productive members of the workforce, with a chance to move up the ladder, than to pardon them.