Diane Odell
Written by Diane’s lawyers
As a 67 year old, Ms. Odell is in the category of individuals vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19. In addition to her advanced age, which puts her in the CDC’s “highest risk” category for severe illness from COVID-19, Ms. Odell suffers from chronic asthma, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and she has a family history of serious heart conditions.
Ms. Odell’s current earliest release date is May 13, 2028, via parole. Her incarceration results from a 2004 conviction for three counts of second-degree murder. Over a four year period in the early 1980s, Ms. Odell gave birth at her home in Sullivan County, New York to three stillborn infants. At the time of her conviction, Ms. Odell was 50 years old, a mother of eight, and an upstanding member of the community. Ms. Odell has since served 16 years of her sentence of 25 years to life.
During her incarceration, Ms. Odell has created an exemplary record of educational attainment, program completion, job training, jobs held, and community service that demonstrates her readiness to return to society and that she does not pose a threat to the community. Further, Ms. Odell currently lives in a privileged housing unit, awarded by DOCCS for her model behavior and clean disciplinary record. While incarcerated, Ms. Odell has earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED) and an associate’s degree in sociology. She has been a fixture in volunteer programs throughout her incarceration, including volunteering with the Volunteer Service Department to donate hygiene products and necessities to inmates. In recognition of her exemplary behavior and mentorship ability, DOCCS chose Ms. Odell in a selective process to work as an aide in the Transitional Services Office and provide guidance to newly incarcerated women. Ms. Odell also worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Call Center for seven years, eventually being promoted to a supervisory role as a Team Leader. Most recently, as another attestation to DOCCS’ recognition that Ms. Odell has been an exemplar leader at Bedford Hills, Ms. Odell has been chosen after a stringent vetting process to be one of only six peer leaders in Bedford Hills’ Peer Supporter Program, a suicide prevention program. Ms. Odell’s spotless disciplinary record, housing in a high privilege unit, and roles as a leader in multiple prison work programs speaks volumes about her commitment to rehabilitation and readiness to return to society.
If Ms. Odell’s incarceration at Bedford Hills continues, she faces great risk from COVID-19 given her advanced age and medical conditions. We urge the Executive Clemency Board to grant Ms. Odell a sentence commutation and early release. She has family that is eager to support her as she reintegrates into the community