ADVOCATES APPLAUD LATEST CLEMENCIES AND UPLIFT MANY OTHER INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS READY TO COME HOME
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ADVOCATES APPLAUD LATEST CLEMENCIES AND UPLIFT MANY OTHER INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS READY TO COME HOME
NEW YORK — Today, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 13 clemencies, including two to people incarcerated in the New York State prison system and 11 pardons to individuals already living in the community. In response, Jose DiLenola, Clemency Campaign Director for the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP), released the following statement:
“We applaud the Governor for granting these clemencies, including to Yohannes Johnson, a member of the RAPP community. Mr. Johnson has spent more than four decades in prison, changed his life, mentored others, and accomplished a tremendous amount during his time in prison. He exemplifies the capacity for human beings, including those convicted of serious harm, to change our lives and be a positive force in our communities.
While we are elated for Mr. Johnson, his loved ones, and the other clemency recipients, we know that there are many other Yohannes Johnsons in prison. They are men, women, and people outside of the gender binary who are ready to come home. Many are incarcerated at New York’s three prisons for women.
We’re also grateful for the incredible work of CUNY Law School’s Second Look Project and our other community partners for the work they did and will continue to do to promote the importance of clemency in New York State.”
BACKGROUND: Since taking office, Governor Hochul has granted 72 including 16 to people incarcerated in the New York State prison system. She has committed to granting clemencies on an ongoing basis, not just at the end of the year as has been traditionally done by previous governors. She has also committed to a transparent clemency process so that people know where their applications are at any given time.
There are nearly 1,600 pending clemency applications awaiting action by the Governor.
The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign helps lead the #HochulBringThemHome Campaign, which calls on Governor Hochul to grant clemencies year-round, inclusively, and transparently. More info is available at newyorkersforclemency.com.
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