Ted Hausman, Supervising Attorney at The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Appeals Bureau, appeared on Capitol Pressroom to discuss disappointment among criminal justice advocates towards Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initial use her clemency and pardon power to correct injustices in the legal system. Despite expectations for a wide-ranging use of these critical forms of relief, Hochul only granted clemency to 10 New Yorkers on Christmas Eve.

“We’re hoping that this is not going to be representative of her approach to clemency going forward, but at this point we’re certainly disapppointed that she didn’t act in a broader manner to exercise her clemency powers,” Hausmann said. “We’re really hopefuly that she will see her clemency powers as a tool to systemically address decades of over-incarceration.”

Reggie Randolph – a client of The Legal Aid Society who’s case has come to emblemize New York’s criminalization of mental illness, substance use disorders, and poverty – was not among those granted clemency. Randolph is serving 2-4 years in state prison after a conviction for stealing NyQuil. His story has stirred demand for systemic reform, including the proposed Treatment Not Jail Act.

Listen to the full segment below.