Pubdate: Sun, 30 Dec 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Section: Editorial/Op-Ed
Author: Marina Sheriff
Note: The writer, a lawyer, was legislative director of the New York Civil 
Liberties Union, 2000-2001.

HOLIDAY CLEMENCIES

To the Editor:

Re "In Holiday Rite, Pataki Grants Clemency to 2 Drug Offenders" (news 
article, Dec. 25): Perhaps Gov. George E. Pataki's repeated use of his 
clemency power to release Rockefeller drug law offenders does "signal his 
unease" with New York's harsh laws, but it is a mixed signal at best. The 
legislation offered by the governor earlier this year falls far short of 
his promise for dramatic reform, and offenders like those offered clemency 
would still be subject to unduly harsh sentences.

The governor's pattern of granting holiday clemencies to drug law offenders 
should be a signal that too many people are trapped in the injustices of 
these laws. Perhaps next year the governor will finally offer a proposal 
for meaningful reform. Fair sentencing should not be a holiday rite for a 
select few, but a year-round right for all.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart