RALEIGH, N.C. - Today, Governor Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of six people and granted pardons to nine others. In doing so, he is providing people the opportunity to rejoin their communities and rebuild their lives. The recommendations for clemency come from the Juvenile Sentencing Review Board, which considers the cases of people convicted as youths.
“Today’s announcement is a necessary and welcome reminder of the power of clemency to correct injustices, and that second chances help heal communities decimated by the harms of mass incarceration. We recognize Governor Cooper’s leadership and thoughtful decision to provide commutations and pardons for those who were sentenced in their youth,” said Chantal Stevens, executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina. “Governor Cooper’s decision today is a welcome one, and we call upon him in the final days of his term to provide more commutations, particularly to those sentenced to death. North Carolina has the fifth largest death row in the United States, and it’s time we address that shameful fact.”
When people have second chances to rebuild their lives, we know this leads to better outcomes for families, for communities and for our economy, said Liz Barber, policy director of the ACLU of North Carolina. "We thank Governor Cooper for his actions today, which acknowledge the deep harms caused by mass incarceration and call upon him to do more in his remaining days. The individuals granted clemency today represent only a small fraction of those in North Carolina who could benefit from this vital relief.”
With eight days left in Governor Cooper’s term, the ACLU of North Carolina encourages decisive and thoughtful use of the Governor’s executive authority to grant commutations and pardons.