Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pardoned 33 people and shortened the prison sentences of three more, the first time he has exercised his clemency powers in his seven years in office.
The people granted clemency have criminal records for all sorts of offenses, from shoplifting to murder, with a majority having convictions for non-violent drug offenses.
They were recommended for clemency by an advisory board created in June and fit certain categories, such as non-violent offenders who have stayed out of trouble for at least a decade. People serving excessive sentences or who committed their crimes because they were victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or sex trafficking are also eligible.
Murphy signed many of the pardons Monday in his office at the Statehouse before an audience of criminal justice and civil rights advocates.
“In recent years, all of these individuals have distinguished themselves as upstanding citizens who are dedicated to giving back to their communities. Despite these facts, these individuals have been forced to live under the dark cloud that comes with having a criminal record,” Murphy said. “For them, receiving a pardon does not just represent redemption. It means it will be much easier for them to go about their daily lives, everything from applying for a new job to securing housing to simply traveling out of the country to visit friends or family.”
Justin Dews, who chairs the clemency advisory board, said board members reviewed clemency applications from people whose addictions drove their criminality but who are now recovered, those who committed crimes “because of the foolishness of youth,” and others who have used their time behind bars to better themselves.
“All those who are receiving clemency today, they share this in common: They’ve accounted for their past mistakes and faced the consequences for their actions,” Dews said.
The board created “a thoughtful, systematic process” to review clemency applications, he added.
“For the first time in our state’s history, we can say that fairness and not favor is the guiding principle behind the governor’s clemency decisions,” Dews said.
Amol Sinha, who heads the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, agreed New Jersey’s categorical approach to clemency is a “big deal” because it aims to correct injustice.
“It’s not just waiting for the politically connected individual to make their way to Governor Murphy’s desk, but rather looking for the people who should no longer be incarcerated and no longer suffer the harms of their criminal sentences,” Sinha said. “Hopefully this is just the beginning, and throughout the last year of the governor’s term, he’s going to do many, many more and be a real leader in clemency in the country.”
Abdur Azim was among the first to get a pardon, standing by the governor’s side as he signed the paperwork that pardoned his decades-old convictions for shoplifting, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and robbery.
Before that, he shared a story about Murphy calling him about the pardon. He briefly wondered whether the voice on the other line was artificial intelligence, he said.
“I did not expect it to be a call from the governor,” Azim said. “I actually — I cried. I cried. That was my first feeling. My second feeling was that it was just so surreal, like I was like, ‘My god, I cannot believe this is happening!’ It’s like a very long time coming,” Azim said.
Dawn Jackson will also soon go free after getting sentenced in 1999 to 30 years in prison without parole eligibility for the fatal stabbing of her step-grandfather, Robert McBride, after years of sexual abuse. Celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian championed Jackson’s case in her documentary series “The Justice Project.”
Loreale Wilson, Jackson’s daughter, teared up as she recounted learning her mother would be freed. Her mother, Wilson said, taught her perseverance and “what it means to be resilient through difficult times and to keep striving no matter what life can throw at you.”
“What this means to me, I can’t begin to put into words, but that I am completely speechless, overwhelmed with joy, and can’t wait to experience all that God has for us,” she said.
The Rev. Pamela B. Jones, a reentry provider, also applauded the clemency actions, saying systemic inequities make second chances especially important.
“Clemency is not about erasing accountability. It’s about acknowledging that change is possible, that people can grow, and that justice must be tempered with mercy,” she said.
Murphy promised that Monday’s batch of pardons and clemency wouldn’t be his last. People can apply for clemency here.
“My only regret is that we didn’t get to this day sooner,” he said. “But we will not let the grass grow. We will have more days like this over the next 13 months.”
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