"Kaine term ends with host of Pardons"
Published: February 7, 2010
Photo By: Joe Mahoney - Times Dispatch
Last year Governor Tim Kaine granted 53 "simple" pardons, 3 "absolute" pardons and eight "conditional" pardons to former offenders. Among those receiving a "simple" pardon was Hasan Kalem Zarif, Special Projects Coordinator for Chaplain Service. Mr. Zarif "was convicted in Richmond Circuit Court on August 7, 1974, of first-degree murder. In prison he found God and an education, receiving parole in 1989 and fulfilling the obligations of his sentence in 2001. Zarif is a prison chaplain who serves as the special projects coordinator for the Chaplain Service of the Churches of Virginia. In 2007, Kaine restored his rights to vote, hold office and serve on a jury. In explaining the simple pardon, Kaine wrote: 'Mr. Zarif's life story is an inspiration to persons who are incarcerated and an excellent example of rehabilitation'."