Gov. Cuomo on Monday announced that the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a handful of other national legal advocacy groups will join the state’s ongoing effort to identify inmates who may qualify for clemency and help them apply.
Cuomo administration officials said it’s the first time these groups have teamed with a state-based clemency program. They had been part of similar federal program that the Trump administration recently discontinued.
"These nationally recognized organizations have already proven successful in helping incarcerated individuals get access to the resources they need to apply for clemency, make the case for their rehabilitation and have the opportunity to contribute to and re-enter society," Cuomo said in a statement. "I'm proud to partner with them to expand the work of this administration and its partners and take one more step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York for all."
