Parts 1 Only: Jay Dow - WPIX-TV: How Reggie Randolph Spent Years Behind Bars for Stealing Nyquil

Reggie Randolph was just another name on the Manhattan Criminal Court’s massive, backlogged docket - until PIX11 News began profiling his case in November, 2021.

Mr. Randolph is a 58-year old native of Harlem, New York. Over the last several decades he’s struggled with a debilitating cocaine and heroin addiction, schizoaffective mental health disorder, and a myriad of other medical/health issues – all while spending years at a time in and out of jail/prison.

In fact, prior to our reporting Mr. Randolph served more than 850 days in Rikers Island Jail – stemming from two (2) thefts of Nyquil cold medication inside Duane Reade pharmacy stores. During our series, Corrections officials subsequently transferred Mr. Randolph to a New York state prison to begin serving a 2-4 year sentence, stemming from those same two thefts.

This clip includes only Part1 of our 5-part series. The series delved into the details of the criminal case against Mr. Randolph, who believed he was being over-prosecuted. Additionally, Mr. Randolph argued his long criminal record (filled with some 53 non-violent misdemeanor convictions) was being unfairly used against him to inflict even harsher penalties.

Our series also focused on a broader analysis of the criminal justice system; specifically, the connection between a defendant’s chronic drug addiction / mental health issues, non-violent criminal activity, and repeated incarceration. It’s a connection which often “ping pongs” defendants in and out of jail/prison, instead of an environment which offers more appropriate treatment options for their issues.

Parts 1-4 the series (Parts 1 & 2 aired November 23rd, 2021, and Parts 3 & 4 aired December 27th, 2021) garnered the attention of several New York State Senators, along with more than *two hundred* faith and community leaders. They all advocated for Mr. Randolph by directly petitioning New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Additionally, Parts 1 & 2 of our series ranked as the most popular new story on PIX11’S main website (pix11.com) for the entire month of November, 2021.

Our reporting ultimately led to direct action in January, 2022, when the Manhattan District Attorney’s office supported a Motion filed Mr. Randolph’s attorney - seeking his release from prison, pending his appeal. A New York Supreme Court Judge granted that Motion, which ordered Mr. Randolph’s transfer to a Queens, NY based supportive housing facility featured in Part 2 of our series. To be clear, this is not a “get out of jail free card”. Mr. Randolph could be sent back to prison if he gets into trouble again, loses his appeal, or if Gov. Hochul denies his clemency petition.

This series also provided renewed attention - and new momentum - to the ongoing legislative effort to pass the “Treatment Not Jail” Act (sponsored by New York State Senator Jessica Ramos). The bill would give Judges (currently bound by “mandatory minimum” sentencing laws) more flexibility to adjudicate criminal cases involving the same kind of drug addiction and psychiatric issues which kept Reggie Randolph behind bars for so long – for stealing Nyquil cold medication. We included these developments in Part 5 (which aired on January 11th, 2022, found here for your reference only, and is NOT included in this awards submission).

We most recently filed an update report on January 25th, 2022 (found here, and again, for your reference only), the same day a Judge ordered Mr. Randolph’s release from prison, and transfer to the Queens, NY supportive housing facility.

In that latest report, Mr. Randolph’s attorney told PIX11, “There are thousands of Reggie Randolphs in New York state who are sitting in jails right now, hoping, praying, that they will be permitted the opportunity to receive treatment. I am absolutely thrilled that he’s out of prison. He’s been incarcerated in total for almost 1,000 days for stealing Nyquil at Duane Reade stores. And Jay, I want to thank you and PIX11 for bringing attention to Reggie’s case. I think that played a significant role in making this happen today.”

Видео Parts 1 Only: Jay Dow - WPIX-TV: How Reggie Randolph Spent Years Behind Bars for Stealing Nyquil канала Jay Dow