The Legal Aid Society today called on Governor Kathy Hochul to act on the many clemency applications (applications for both sentence commutations and pardons) currently pending with her office in order to offer a well-deserved second chance for incarcerated New Yorkers and individuals with conviction records.

Since taking office last year, Hochul has used her commutation powers sparingly despite widespread calls from public defenders, criminal legal system advocates, and others to grant relief for the many individuals who have proven through their immense dedication to self-improvement that they have learned from their past mistakes.

“There are currently hundreds of individuals throughout New York who are suffering unjustly harsh consequences due to past convictions,” said Ted Hausman, Supervising Attorney with the Criminal Appeals Bureau at The Legal Aid Society. “Many were sentenced to extreme sentences as adolescents, and many are growing old in prison and should be given a chance to reunite with their families and communities.

These individuals, a disproportionate number of whom are people of color, have gone above and beyond to prove they are deserving of a second chance — a chance that Governor Hochul has the power to provide for them,” he continued. “We urge Governor Hochul to not define these individuals by one low moment in their lives and take full advantage of her commutation and pardon powers before the year’s end.”

Read the stories of just two individuals for whom the Governor should immediately act to provide relief below.

Darr Williams

Darr Williams, age 53, has served 32 years in prison for his role in a double shooting, which an older man instigated. Mr. Williams, who was 20 years old at the time of the crime, has taken full responsibility for his conduct and expressed deep remorse for the harm caused by his actions.
Mr. Williams has compiled an extraordinary record of achievements in prison, including earning his GED, associate’s degree, and coursework for a bachelor’s degree that he continues to pursue while incarcerated.

For more than 9 years, Mr. Williams has served as the program director for the Prisoner for A.I.D.S. Counseling and Education program (“PACE”), where he supervises fourteen prisoner-facilitators and creates programming for the group, which provides education, counseling, and support to incarcerated men on the health risks of HIV and A.I.D.S. within the prison population.

He has also counseled over 7000 at-risk youth through the Youth Assistance Program (“YAP”), where he can draw from his experience and what he has learned by completing extensive training programs. Mr. Williams has close relationships with his family members, including his younger sister, son, daughter, and numerous nieces and nephews, who are ready to welcome him home.

Rudy Roa

In January 1992, Rudy Roa committed a robbery in Manhattan that turned fatal, causing the death of one individual and injuring another. At the time of the robbery, Mr. Roa was 20 years old and struggling to provide for his wife and two young children. His son was born the prior year, and mounting financial pressure caused Mr. Roa to turn to drugs and weapons sales to try to make ends meet. Mr. Roa takes full responsibility for his actions that night and is deeply remorseful for the harm he caused.

Mr. Roa has dedicated himself to reflection and self-improvement to ensure that he is never again the source of such harm but rather a catalyst of positive change in his community. For the past 30 years, Mr. Roa has spent his time in prison expanding his horizons through vocational programs and higher education — not only has he earned his GED and an associate’s degree from Nyack College, but is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to nurturing his own personal growth, Mr. Roa has found purpose in uplifting the community around him. He is a devoted member of the Protestant congregation and has worked as a law library clerk to advocate for his fellow prisoners.

Letters of support describe Mr. Roa’s generosity and empathy as a friend, husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Roa’s rehabilitation over the past three decades has prepared him to thrive after his release. Additionally, Mr. Roa’s excellent disciplinary and programming record illustrates his commitment to rehabilitation, and his strong re-entry plan demonstrates his aspirations to build a meaningful life outside of prison.