Two weeks after Governor Kathy Hochul pardoned six individuals but chose not to commute the sentences of any of the more than 1,000 New Yorkers who have applied, advocates stood outside her Midtown office on Tuesday and called on the governor not to let political pressure prevent her from keeping her promise to regularly use her clemency powers to release reformed individuals from prison.
Read MoreGovernor Kathy Hochul declined to commute the sentence of any of the more than 1,000 people in New York’s prisons who applied for clemency when she granted half a dozen pardons on Friday, angering advocates who say the governor has all but abandoned her promise to reform the state’s clemency process.
Read MoreNearly a fifth of all Queens residents behind bars in New York are 55 years or older – and despite being convicted at a far younger age, have few opportunities to advocate for their release, according to new data shared with the Eagle.
Read MoreValerie Gaiter was 21 when was convicted of murder in 1979. She died of cancer Aug. 13 at 61 after serving nearly 40 years behind bars.
Read More“When you get out, you have a parole officer who may be a good person who helps you find a job and a house, or who may try to lock you up again, because that’s easier.”
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