Gov. Maura Healey has recommended pardoning six people for crimes committed decades ago when they were in their teens and 20s, many of whom were convicted of drug offenses.

“I am proud to continue our administration’s efforts to use leniency as a tool to center fairness and equity in our criminal justice system and help these individuals move forward with their education, careers and lives,” Healey said in a statement .

Healey recommended Anthony Tindal, David Palazzo, Kira Pareseau, Mynor-Deane Martino Boland, Richard Barnes and Robert Tober for pardons. Each was unanimously recommended for unconditional pardons by the Advisory Board of Pardons, except Pareseau, for whom the Advisory Board recommends a conditional pardon.

Healey has recommended 22 people for pardons since taking office last January, with 15 of those recommendations approved. Her office touts her work by saying she granted more pardons in her first year than any other governor in the past four decades.

who are they

Healey’s office provided brief summaries of the crimes committed by and the current lives of those recommended for pardon.

Tindal was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana when he was 22 in 1978. Healey says he has since earned a GED from Springfield Skills Center and had a career in machining before retiring on his knees ill, a back injury and lung disease, but he had been refused housing based on his criminal record.

Palazzo was convicted in the 1980s and 1990s of aiding and abetting insurance fraud, possession of a controlled substance and worker fraud. Since then, he has turned his life around, Healey’s office said, working in public service, assisting people with disabilities and substance use disorders. He is active in his church, where he leads a recovery group, and is seeking forgiveness so he can complete his degree in social work.

Pareseau was convicted of theft, assault and battery and malicious destruction of property in the late 1990s when she was in her mid-20s and using drugs. The church volunteer and security worker is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UMass Lowell and is seeking forgiveness to pursue more educational and work opportunities.

Boland’s convictions, which include possession of marijuana, wire fraud and driving under the influence, came in 1996 when he was 21. He now owns a restaurant, is a volunteer coach and is “an active member of his community.”

Barnes was convicted of breaking and entering, both night and day, with intent to commit a felony, as well as theft, in 1968 when he was 17. He has been an independent contractor for 25 years and regularly volunteers with several organizations in his community.

Rober was convicted of theft in 1987, when he was 28 years old. Since then he has served in the National Guard reserves, worked in education and local government, opened a food pantry, and works with the homeless and drug users. The Sunday School teacher recently lost his job because of his criminal record and “faced barriers to advancing his career.”