Since starting this work in 2019, the Criminal Justice Clinic has won the release of 26 clients through its Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project
IRVINE, Calif. (May 27, 2025) — UC Irvine Law Professor Katie Tinto and the Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC) at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, secured the release of two clients serving lengthy sentences in federal prison.
On January 29, a federal judge in the Middle District of Georgia granted the clinic’s motion on behalf of client Pierre Cannon who was serving an effective life sentence of over 97 years. The court granted Mr. Cannon’s release on the grounds that Mr. Cannon’s sentence was unjustifiably harsher than his more culpable codefendants, his young age at the time of his offenses, and his rehabilitation during the more-than 30 years he had served in prison.
On March 13, a federal judge in the Southern District of Georgia granted the clinic’s motion for the release of client James Gaddy, who had served more than 37 years of a life sentence. The motion centered on Mr. Gaddy’s age of 84 and his extremely poor and deteriorating health. In recognition of his age, deteriorating physical health due to aging, and Mr. Gaddy’s remarkable personal growth over his decades of incarceration, the court granted Mr. Gaddy’s release.
“These cases demonstrate the critical importance of examining the lives and histories of those serving extremely lengthy sentences in prison,” said Professor Katie Tinto, clinical professor of law and director of the Criminal Justice Clinic. “Due to the excessive and harsh sentencing practices of past decades, I believe there are many individuals currently in prison who the courts would agree should be released if their individual circumstances are brought to the courts’ attention.”
These cases demonstrate the critical importance of examining the lives and histories of those serving extremely lengthy sentences in prison.
Professor Katie Tinto
Clinical Professor of law and Director of the Criminal Justice Clinic
CJC began the Compassionate Release and Excessive Sentences Project in 2019 with the goal of securing the release of prisoners serving long and unjust prison sentences. Since the start of the project, CJC has successfully won the release of 26 clients, 14 of whom were serving life or effective life sentences. CJC files motions on behalf of clients throughout the U.S., including in federal courts in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, and Florida.
The clinical program at UC Irvine School of Law is a critical, required part of the curriculum, enabling students to gain valuable experience representing a variety of clients in need and working to address pressing problems. Additionally, students in CJC represent low-income individuals in state criminal court, help non-citizens seek post-conviction relief when facing immigration consequences of past criminal offenses, and much more.
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