Some holiday season news and notes about clemency (and the absence thereof)

The holiday season, especially because it is also lame-duck season, often brings some notable executive clemency stories.  Last week’s decision by outgoing Oregon Gov to commute the state’s whole death row is a notable example (details here).   But a quick news search reveals only a few other stories from from a few other states about some lower-profile seasonable clemency efforts:

From Arkansas, “Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Intent to Grant Executive Clemency“

From Massachusetts, “Baker recommends another round of pardons“

From North Carolina, “NC Gov. Roy Cooper commutes six people’s sentences and pardons four others“

Because I know of some clemency work that has not been covered in press pieces, I am sure there are more stories of seasonal grace that just in these three states.  Still, I find it somewhat surprising and quite disappointing that there are not more executive officials making more use of their clemency pens.  And, as some recent commentary pieces highlight, I am not the only one hoping to see more clemency action:

Rachel E. Barkow & Mark Osler at the NY Daily News, “Biden’s cowardice on clemency“

From Reuven Blau at The City, “For ‘Clemency Season,’ Prisoner Advocates Want Hochul to Keep Promise All Year: Last December, the governor said she would change the way pardons and clemency applications were handled. But little has changed since.”

From Chris Geidner at Bolts, “Landmark Push for Clemency in Oregon and Nevada Show Split Paths on Death Penalty“

From Eva Santiago at amNY, “Clemency is one way to improve safety which no one wants to talk about“