DENVER, Colorado – Gov. Jared Polis granted clemencies to 28 individuals, with six of them set to be released from Colorado prisons earlier. Most of those receiving clemency have already served their sentences, many of which date back to the 1980s and are related to controlled substances violations and low-level thefts.

One of those receiving a shorter sentence is David R. Carrillo, who was convicted of murder for a gang-related killing in Pueblo at the age of 19. He will now be eligible for parole on January 31, 2024, after diligently pursuing educational goals while incarcerated.

Gordon Johnston, who was serving a 64-year sentence for nonviolent drug offenses, will also be eligible for parole sooner, on January 15, 2026, after participating in prison programs, including the canine science program.

Similarly, Samuel V. Martinez III, who was serving a 64-year sentence for aggravated robbery with a weapon, will also become eligible for parole almost 30 years sooner, on January 15, 2027, due to his educational achievements and teaching efforts within the prison system.

Polis has a history of announcing clemency decisions in late December, and this latest round has drawn attention to his exercise of executive power over clemency. In the past, he vetoed a bill that sought to create a more uniform and transparent clemency application process.

The decision to grant clemency brings relief to the individuals who have shown efforts at rehabilitation during their time in prison, and it also raises questions about the criteria for determining eligibility for clemency. As Polis continues to exercise his constitutional power over clemency, the impact of these decisions on the criminal justice system and public safety will remain a topic of interest.