Letter on Governor Cuomo’s Plan to Offer Conditional Pardons for Certain Youthful Offenders

SUMMARY

The Corrections and Community Reentry Committee (Allegra Glashauser, Chair) applauded the Governor’s announced effort to grant conditional pardons to 16 and 17 year olds convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors, but made several recommendations to expand the program so that it will have its desired effect and reach the intended audience. For example, the Committee recommended modifying the requirement that the individual have remained crime-free for 10 years, expanding the eligibility age, and making provisions for sealing the criminal records of successful applicants.