Rashaan Thomas, the co-host of the podcast Ear Hustle, was once excepted from San Quentin Climate Jail nearest serving moment for a 2015 theft. This reduce got here one while nearest California Governor Gavin Newsom commuted his sentence in keeping with a petition signed by way of over 80,000 society. Thomas has since reunited together with his nation and is vowing to virtue his tale to encourage and assist others.
Rahsaan Thomas was once excepted from San Quentin Climate Jail on Wednesday, greater than a while nearest getting a commutation from Governor Gavin Newsom for his rehabilitation at the back of bars, together with his paintings for the nominated ‘Ear Hustle’ podcast. for the Pulitzer Prize.
Thomas’ supporters had advocated for his reduce for years. His depart from San Quentin got here hours nearest The Occasions featured Thomas in a broadcast document on dozens of society residue in prison in spite of the governor’s excuse.
Thomas was once amongst 123 society to whom Newsom has granted commutations or decreased sentences since turning into governor in 2019. However as of January, a 3rd of the ones society remained at the back of bars – in some instances years nearest the suggestions of the governor, in keeping with knowledge from the California Section of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
That is in large part because of Newsom’s resolution to defer to the parole board within the gigantic majority of his commutations rather of the usage of his energy of clemency to reduce them unilaterally.
Thomas’ sentence was once commuted by way of the governor in January 2022 and he was once granted parole by way of the board in August, however as of Tuesday he remained in San Quentin Climate Jail.
Thomas, 52, was once sentenced to 55 years and 6 months to time on a second-degree homicide conviction and alternative fees nearest killing any person and injuring every other era dealing medicine in 2000 , in keeping with clemency paperwork.
In his transfer, Newsom praised Thomas for taking school lessons and an array of self-help systems pronouncing he was once “devoted to his rehabilitation”. Thomas had won dozens of suggestions for clemency, together with frequent help from lovers of his journalism protecting jail time.
In interviews with The Occasions in early January, Thomas stated he was once thankful to each the governor and the parole board and that the method had helped him heal and mirror on his moment. However he additionally criticized the range of the method, pronouncing “every day counts”.
Even for the ones granted parole, reduce isn’t quick. There’s a assessment length of as much as 150 days nearest a parole board listening to, permitting selections to be overseen by way of the board’s felony workforce and the governor prior to they’re made. finalized.
Thomas stated he and his nation have been suffering no longer realizing when he could be excepted.
“I can’t curse a blessing,” Thomas stated from jail in January. “My only wish is that this process, if you get a switch, would be simplified. Really, it should be streamlined for everyone. … If you decided it was safe to let me go, why drag on the things ? “
Thomas could not be reached for a statement on Wednesday, but an “Ear Hustle” spokesperson stated they “couldn’t be happier” about his reduce and known as him an “important voice.”
“The ‘Ear Hustle’ team looks forward to working with Rahsaan on the outside to continue to tell the public stories about life during and after incarceration,” a spokesperson stated. “This can be a particular while. We’re thankful to our listeners for his or her atypical help.
A fundraiser had raised just about $10,000 on Wednesday from 137 donors to help Thomas nearest his reduce.
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