Gov. Charlie Crist has called a special meeting of the state's clemency board on Thursday to unveil his proposal to speed up the restoration of civil rights to convicts who have finished their prison sentences.

Noting that it is a ''week of forgiveness,'' a reference to Good Friday and Easter, Crist said that he is ''hopeful'' that fellow members of the board -- Attorney General Bill McCollum, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson -- will sign off on the proposal.

Florida is one of the few states where criminals convicted of felonies are not automatically given their civil rights -- which includes voting rights, the ability to apply for professional licenses or the right to serve on a jury -- after they are released.

NO HEARING

Many criminals can gain their rights without a hearing, but those with more serious offenses must go before the governor and Cabinet for a vote, a process that can take months and even years.

''I believe that in my heart everyone deserves a second chance,'' said Crist. ``They deserve an opportunity to get on with productive lives.''

CRIST'S PITCH

On the campaign trail last year, Crist said he was in favor of automatic restoration of civil rights for everyone, regardless of the crime. But he has run into trouble getting members of the clemency board to go along.

Crist has made changes in an effort to win the two votes he needs, including adding a requirement that a former prisoner make full restitution of any fines or court costs before rights are restored. Some civil rights groups have complained that this will prevent former prisoners from being able to obtain professional jobs than can help them pay restitution.

Crist said he had to compromise in order to get something passed: ``I want to do the doable. . . . I'm pushing as hard as I can to get as much as I can.''

PROPOSAL'S CRITIC

Crist is likely to have at least one vote against his proposal: In an opinion column running in several newspapers today, including The Miami Herald, fellow Republican McCollum said that restoring civil rights to all former prisoners was ''reckless and irresponsible.'' McCollum questioned Crist's plan, saying it would eliminate waiting periods for all but a handful of criminals.

''The proposal to automatically restore civil rights when leaving prison would restore rights without providing a reasonable period of time to determine if felons are truly rehabilitated or still leading a life of crime,'' McCollum wrote.

McCollum has offered an alternative plan that calls for the state to beef up the number of people doing background checks on those applying for clemency, and requiring the state to act on all requests for civil rights restoration within a year.