united-states jurisdiction us-senate
In the US, can a senator get a prisoner out?
<p>In the latest TV series <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandal_(TV_series)" rel="nofollow">Scandal</a> episode, "Get Out of Jail, Free", Olivia asks Mellie, a senator from Virginia, to release a prisoner imprisoned in Virginia, assuring that this is within her powers. I know this is just a TV series and even she might mean she has powerful friends or non-lawful tricks, but out of curiosity, is that possible or is there anything in US constitution or US law that let a senator get a prisoner out??</p>

<p>FYI, the senator did get two prisoners out, one imprisoned for embezzlement and another one for killing a president's son (and is put in Supermax!)</p>

<p>No a senator does not have that power under their elected position. However politics does not work like that. A senator could know the governor of their state very well. Governors could issue pardons which will release people from jail. Governors can also command a certain person to do something, like release a prisoner. </p>
