Arnold “Arnie” Raimondo

Written by Barbara Ho
*Arnie was granted clemency in December 2020

At 17 years old, Arnold “Arnie” Raimondo enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Arnie is now 70 years old and has served 39 years of his 50 to life sentence. He will first see the parole board at 81 years old. The District Attorney’s office who prosecuted Arnie supports his application for clemency. “Mr. Raimondo’s capacity for growth and maturation is reflected in his near-perfect disciplinary record through his lengthy incarceration, his extensive educational and rehabilitation achievements, and his leadership and advocacy on behalf of other incarcerated veterans with PTSD syndrome,” states the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in an April 2020 letter to Governor Cuomo. During his time in prison, Arnie found success as a scholar, poet, and artist. Examples of Arnie’s articles, poetry, and art can be found in his pending clemency application, filed with the help of CUNY School of Law. A link to his full application can be found through this article. Arnie suffers from increasing health problems as he ages. He uses a cane to walk, has chronic arthritis, emphysema, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Arnie’s loving family, including his grand-nieces and nephews, have pledged to care for and support him, and desperately want him home.