June 17, 2020: New York, New York
The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, Parole Preparation Project, and Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club released the following statement in response to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo granting clemency to three incarcerated people in New York State prisons:
“While we support Governor Cuomo’s decision to grant clemency to three incarcerated New Yorkers, and are elated for them and their loved ones, it is outrageous that the Governor has only granted these three clemencies amidst
the COVID-19 pandemic. Governors in Kentucky, Oklahoma, California, Washington, and Illinois have granted dozens and hundreds more clemencies than Cuomo to reduce the harm of the virus behind bars. As the world
continues to combat COVID-19 and rise up against systemic racism, we call on the Governor to be a real national leader and immediately grant far more clemencies to New Yorkers in prison.”