by Kara Brandeisky ProPublica, April 23, 2014, 6:15 p.m. Today, the Department of Justice outlined expanded criteria that could allow prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes to win early release from prison. Under the new initiative, the Office of the Pardon Attorney will fast-track commutation applications from inmates who have served more than 10 years for non-violent offenses and who were well-behaved while imprisoned. As part of the shift, the department is replacing Pardon Attorney Ronald Rodgers.