Take Action
Join the movement for clemency TODAY and demand Governor Hochul use her executive clemency power to grant mass clemencies
How To Get Involved
Thank you for taking action on behalf of clemency seekers! We encourage you to write, email, and call Governor Hochul. Below are some sample scripts you can use, but you are not limited to these! If you are writing, please do not simply copy and paste, as your message may be filtered out. We recommend adding a sentence at the beginning. If you are writing on behalf of a specific individual seeking clemency, please add something about them! You can find information about clemency seekers on our
“Faces of Clemency” page.
Write to Governor Hochul
By mail:
The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Online: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Sample Script: I was horrified to learn that during the pandemic, former governor Cuomo granted clemency to less than 20 people. Cuomo’s refusal to use his clemency power is an unusually cruel decision, when compared to the actions of governors across the country.
New York State has nearly 9,000 people serving life sentences, one of very few states with roughly 20% of its prison population serving life terms. Many are very ill. Many lifers have served decades and have amassed a set of achievements that provide robust evidence of transformation. Many have become respected elders who mentor younger prisoners and encourage them to realize their full potential.
Many lifers pose no threat to public safety and have much to offer beyond prison. And yet many of them are destined to perish in prison. Who is being served by keeping them locked up?
Keeping people in prison indefinitely is unconscionably cruel and inhumane. Governor Hochul you have the opportunity now to make this right and do what Cuomo wouldn’t: grant mass clemency now.
Join the #HochulBringThemHome Social Media Action
Post on twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to let Governor Hochul know you support the campaign to bring people home on clemency.
Find sample posts and images here.
Sign on to the campaign
Join the coalition of advocates across New York State in our collective call for Governor Kathy Hochul to grant clemency in New York State. Sign your organization on to the campaign here.
Share the Faces of Clemency Stories
Share the stories of people who have pending clemency applications. Post on social media and tag Governor Hochul in any tweets or posts. Find twitter graphics for each person here.
Sample tweet: "FACES OF CLEMENCY: Here is just one of many stories of incarcerated people who have already served long sentences and are ready to come home who are relying on Gov. @KathyHochul to grant #ClemencyNow. Read their stories. Help bring them home. https://cuomoletthemgo.com/the-faces-of-clemency"
Events
Check out and register for upcoming clemency events.
Subscribe to RAPP’s Newsletter
For weekly updates on events, actions, and news and how to be involved in the work, sign up to receive the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign’s newsletter.
Sign the #ClemencyWorks Petition
Sign the petition to keep up the pressure on governors across the country to do their part in stopping the spread of coronavirus in prisons and jails.