Executive clemency and pardon application ledgers and correspondence
Series Number
A0629
Summary
Article 18 of the 1777 State Constitution authorized the governor to grant pardons and reprieves. This power was continued in the constitutions of 1821 and 1846 and expanded to include commutations by Article 5 of the Constitution of 1894. This series consists of ledgers and correspondence maintained by the governor's office to track actions taken and decisions made regarding applications for executive clemency. These volumes document various types of clemency including pardons, commutations, and restorations of citizenship rights.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
Restoration of citizenship rights application ledgers
Series Number
A0628
Summary
Articles I and IV of the State Constitution authorize the governor to grant executive clemency to convicted criminals (Executive Law, Sections 15-19). Among the types of clemency offered is restoration of citizenship rights, by which the governor restores civil rights lost as a result of a conviction (such as right to vote, right to hold public office). These volumes were maintained to track the status of applications to the governor for restoration of citizenship rights.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.
The case files in this series document the process of application for and granting of pardons or commutations of sentences by the Governor. Convicts and their families, friends, and attorneys applied to have sentences reduced or terminated and, for convicted felons, to have citizenship rights restored. The files may include letters and petitions to the Governor, copies of court documents, inmate data and conduct records, transcripts of testimony, Governor's commutation statement, and inmate's statement accepting terms of release.
Creator
New York (State). Governor
Access Restrictions
Series is partially restricted. State Archives staff will review requests for specific records and disclose as permitted by New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and other applicable state and federal statutes.
Volumes in this series were used to track the status of applications to the governor for pardons or commutations of sentence. The volumes generally provide application number; date(s) of application(s); journal number and page; name; county; crime; court; date of sentence; term; name of prison and date received; date term expires; disposition (pardon or commutation granted or denied and date); and date of actual discharge.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.