Bryon Russ

I was granted clemency by Governor Hochul on April 7, 2023, after 23 years in prison. I was originally sentenced to serve 49 years for two robberies. I no longer see myself as a person of destruction. Once I figured out that I was framing myself within this "false narrative" of being tough, I was able to see a bigger picture of who I want to be. Since my release I've been a mentor, healer, builder, and constructionist within my family. I am building a relationship with the Geneva Police and Ontario County District Attorney. I am part of a Fellowship Group rewriting New York State's Reentry Guide for those in prison. I even returned to Sing Sing to participate in the 12 Angry Men play with my Rehabilitation Through the Arts brothers and sisters. I am remodeling my mother's home and plan to begin working as a paralegal soon. My wife and I are planning a Youth Backpack Giveaway event that we started years ago. I have also done a couple of zoom interviews with students from Columbia and NYU pertaining to my clemency. The joy I have now is too much to put into a bottle. The things people worry about make me feel joy. In other words.... people worry about bills... I'm OVERJOYED to have a bill now; people worry about taxes... I'm OVERJOYED to be a taxpayer.