diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index ac0ad32ec..c7372e2ad 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 ## New Tools
 - `fix/wildlife`: prevent wildlife from getting stuck when trying to exit the map. This fix needs to be enabled manually in `gui/control-panel` on the Bug Fixes tab since not all players want this bug to be fixed.
 - `immortal-cravings`: allow immortals to satisfy their cravings for food and drink
+- `justice`: various functions pertaining to the justice system, currently with a command to pardon a unit's prison sentence.
 
 ## New Features
 - `force`: support the ``Wildlife`` event to allow additional wildlife to enter the map
diff --git a/docs/justice.rst b/docs/justice.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e5ff93cbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/justice.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+justice
+=======
+
+.. dfhack-tool::
+    :summary: Commands related to the justice system.
+    :tags: fort armok units
+
+This tool allows control over aspects of the justice system, such as the
+ability to pardon criminals.
+
+Usage
+-----
+
+::
+    justice pardon [--unit <id>]
+
+Pardon the selected unit or the one specified by unit id (if provided).
+Currently only applies to prison time and doesn't cancel beatings or
+hammerings.
+
+
+Options
+-------
+
+``-u``, ``--unit <id>``
+    Specifies the unit id of the target of the command.
diff --git a/justice.lua b/justice.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5071f2445
--- /dev/null
+++ b/justice.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+
+local argparse = require('argparse')
+
+local function pardon_unit(unit)
+    for _,punishment in ipairs(df.global.plotinfo.punishments) do
+        if punishment.criminal == unit.id then
+            punishment.prison_counter = 0
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    qerror('Unit is not currently serving a sentence!')
+end
+
+local function command_pardon(unit_id)
+    local unit = nil
+    if not unit_id then
+        unit = dfhack.gui.getSelectedUnit()
+        if not unit then qerror("No unit selected!") end
+    else
+        unit = df.unit.find(unit_id)
+        if not unit then qerror(("No unit with id %i"):format(unit_id)) end
+    end
+    if unit then pardon_unit(unit) end
+end
+
+local unit_id = nil
+
+local args = {...}
+
+local positionals = argparse.processArgsGetopt(args,
+    {'u', 'unit', hasArg=true, handler=function(optarg) unit_id = optarg end}
+)
+
+local command = positionals[1]
+
+if command == "pardon" then
+    command_pardon(unit_id)
+elseif not command then
+    qerror('Missing command')
+else
+    qerror(("Unrecognised command: %s"):format(command))
+end