Why #ClemencyNow

There are nearly 9,000 people serving life sentences in New York State prisons. Many more are serving sentences so long that they will surely die in prison before they are ever even eligible for parole. We offer just a few stories of these individuals and demand that they be granted clemency now. 

Many people entered prison when they were teenagers, some as young as 16. Many have already served decades of their sentence, with decades left until release if they survive that long. 

In this time they have amassed incredible achievements and transformed the value systems that led to their incarceration. 

Many have become respected individuals who mentor younger people inside and outside the prison walls and encourage them to realize their full potential. Their transformation as human beings is clear and inspiring. 

Many are elderly. Many are very ill. Most are Black. [1]

The New York State Constitution specifically gives the Governor the absolute power to release any person, at any time, for any reason. This power that Governor Hochul now has is called clemency--specifically a sentence commutation. It is designed for individuals who have transformed themselves over the course of their incarceration and can safely re-enter society. [2]

With families and community members waiting for their return, the continued incarceration of individuals who have met these requirements is a detriment to us all, and especially to Black and Brown communities. 

Our Demands

We demand Governor Hochul use her executive power to grant clemency:

Frequently: Most governors view clemency as a gift for the holidays or new year. We don’t believe that values of mercy and redemption, and the exercise of clemency, should be limited to once or twice per year. We call on Governor Hochul to grant clemencies on an ongoing, frequent basis throughout the year. 

Inclusively: Incarcerated people are convicted of many different crimes and serving all sorts of sentences. We believe that the power of clemency should be extended across these demographics, categorically including all people for clemency consideration, and not excluding anyone based on the nature of their crime, sentence, or time served. We believe that everyone is deserving of redemption and a second chance, and call on Governor Hochul to promote a value and principle of inclusion in her clemency practice.

Transparently: There is no public information about who in the Governor’s office is responsible for reviewing clemency applications or how applications are processed and evaluated.  There is also no publicly available data provided documenting the number of clemency applications submitted, responded to, granted, or denied. This leaves many incarcerated people and their families in a state of despair. We call on Governor Hochul to center public transparency in her office’s use of and processes associated with clemency review and decision-making.

[1] Though only 16% of the New York State population, Black people make up 53% of state prisons. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NY.html. Black men are especially likely to be given life sentences -- they are regularly given longer sentences for the same crime than white men. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/black-men-sentenced-time-white-men-crime-study/story?id=51203491
[2]  https://doccs.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2019/06/GRECA.pdf
[3]  In contrast, last year Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed off on commutations of 527 non-violent sentences, the largest single-day commutations in history. Two months before Stitt’s historic action, California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted the sentences of 21 people convicted of murder and attempted murder.  Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf commuted the life sentences of eight people, and outgoing Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin commuted the sentences of several people serving time for violent crime, including homicide.

#HochulBringThemHome is a grassroots campaign led by the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, Parole Preparation Project, members of the CUNY defenders clinic, the Center for Justice at Columbia University and other community based groups.