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Pataki Gives First-Time Offenders A Christmas Present

By Newsradio 88 Staff

It's a very Merry Christmas for a Nassau County man, a Manhattan woman and a guy from Queens.

Actually these days, they reside behind bars.

Governor Pataki has granted clemency to the three state prison inmates serving time for first-time drug convictions.

The granting of executive clemency has become a Christmas-time tradition for New York governors.

The three model prisoners are Jose Lamberto of Nassau County, Angela Thompson of Manhattan and John Staley of Queens. All were first-time drug offenders when they were sent to prison in the 1980's.

They weren't randomly picked because they were first timers. The three worked for their release, each using their stretch behind bars to advance their education and volunteer to help other inmates.