James Rolf Bjerkan

Released
Era:1970s
State:Minnesota
Support
Anti-War
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Biography

James Rolf Bjerkan was a conscientious objector imprisoned for refusing induction during the Vietnam War. He began federal custody on January 4, 1974, when his three-year sentence was reduced to eighteen months, and was held at Sandstone, Minnesota. He was later furloughed through the presidential clemency program and received a full, unconditional pardon on December 28, 1974. The pardon date was later than his departure from custody.

Sources: Bjerkan v. United States, 529 F.2d 125 (1975); CCCO News Notes, volume 26, number 2 (1974), page 1.

Case

FCI Sandstone
Charges: Refusing to report for induction, 50 U.S.C. App. section 462(a).
Sentenced: Jan 4, 1974
Incarcerated: Jan 4, 1974
Sentence: Three years, reduced to eighteen months on January 4, 1974. Held at the federal correctional institution at Sandstone, Minnesota. Furloughed before the November 6, 1974 habeas ruling; exact departure date unverified. The December 28 pardon is not the custody endpoint.
Prosecutor: Samuel K. Skinner; Michael D. Groark (government counsel on 1975 appeal)
Convicted: Yes
Institution State: Minnesota

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