In response to today’s conditional pardon of Neli Latson by Virginia Governor Terry Mcauliffe, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network issued the following statement:
We applaud Governor Mcauliffe for taking this important step to remove Neli Latson from an unjust and inappropriate prison sentence. Neli’s imprisonment, which included time spent in solitary confinement and lack of access to appropriate mental health and developmental disability services, was unnecessary and immoral. While we are still reviewing the details associated with his pardon, it is our sincere hope that Neli will have the opportunity to receive home and community based services in a fully integrated setting, consistent with his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C.