Rahsaan Thomas was launched from San Quentin State Jail on Wednesday, greater than yr after he was granted a commutation from Gov. Gavin Newsom for his rehabilitation behind bars, together with his work for the Pulitzer Prize-nominated “Ear Hustle” podcast.
Thomas’ supporters had advocated for his launch for years. His departure from San Quentin got here hours after the Instances featured Thomas in a broadcast report about dozens of individuals remaining in jail regardless of receiving mercy from the governor.
Thomas was amongst 123 individuals Newsom has granted commutations, or reductions of sentences, since he turned governor in 2019. However as of January, a 3rd of these individuals remained behind bars — in some instances years after the governor’s suggestions, in accordance with information from the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
That’s due largely to Newsom’s choice to defer to the parole board within the overwhelming majority of his commutations as a substitute of utilizing his clemency energy to free them unilaterally.
Thomas’ sentence was commuted by the governor in January 2022 and he was granted parole by the board in August, however as of Tuesday remained in San Quentin State Jail.
Thomas, 52, was sentenced to 55 years and 6 months to life for a second-degree homicide conviction and different prices after he fatally shot somebody and injured one other throughout a drug deal in 2000, in accordance with clemency paperwork.
In his commutation, Newsom praised Thomas for finishing school programs and an array of self-help programming saying he has “devoted himself to his rehabilitation.” Thomas had acquired dozens of suggestions for clemency, together with huge help from followers of his journalism protecting jail life.
In interviews with The Instances in early January, Thomas stated he was grateful to each the governor and the parole board and that the method helped him to heal and mirror on his previous. However he additionally criticized the prolonged course of, saying that “every single day issues.”
Even for many who are granted parole, launch just isn’t quick. There’s a evaluation interval of as much as 150 days following a parole board listening to, which permits selections to be overseen by the board’s authorized crew and the governor earlier than they’re finalized.
Thomas stated he and his household have been struggling not realizing when he could be launched.
“I can’t curse a blessing,” Thomas stated from jail in January. “My one want is that this course of, in case you get a commutation, it must be streamlined. Actually, it must be streamlined for everyone. … In case you determined it’s protected to let me go, why drag it out?”
Thomas couldn’t be reached for a press release on Wednesday, however a spokesperson for “Ear Hustle” stated they “couldn’t be happier” about his launch and known as him “an vital voice.”
“The ‘Ear Hustle’ crew seems ahead to working with Rahsaan on the surface to maintain bringing audiences tales about life throughout and after incarceration,” a spokesperson stated. “This can be a particular second. We’re grateful to our listeners for his or her extraordinary help.”
A fundraiser had collected practically $10,000 as of Wednesday from 137 donors to help Thomas post-release.
