Less is More: Community Supervision Revocation and Reform Act

Less is More: Community Supervision Revocation and Reform Act (S1343C/A5493B)

New York reincarcerates more people on parole for technical violations than nearly every other state in the country. Of people on parole whom New York sent back to prison in 2016, over 6,300 of 65% were reincarcerated for technical parole violations. Only 14% of people on parole who were reincarcerated were returned to prison because they were convicted of a new crime. Black people are incarcerated in NYC jails for technical parole violations at more than 12 times the rate of whites. This bill permits reincarceration for certain technical violations, but caps it to a maximum of 30 days. A right to a speedy due process before reincarceration is included in this bill. Clearly this bill will result in a reduction in mass incarceration and result in a fairer more equitable criminal justice system.

Elder Parole (S2144/A9040)

More than 10,000 people in NYS prisons (20% of the prison population) are aged 50 and older and the vast majority are Black and Latinx people. Older people, especially those who have been convicted of serious crimes, have the lowest recidivism rate of any age group, posing little, if any risk to public safety. This bill allows for the consideration of parole release for people aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 consecutive years in prison. Clearly this bill will result in a reduction in mass incarceration and result in a fairer more equitable criminal justice system.