Survivors of violent crimes stood side-by-side with former inmates at the Capitol on Tuesday to push again for an overhaul of the state’s parole system, which advocates said has unfairly pitted victims against people who commit crimes — especially in a time of renewed political agitation about public safety.
The movement to change how the state grants parole, part of a broader set of progressive criminal justice measures, has long been championed by advocates and many Democratic lawmakers. The "Fair and Timely Act" bill would broaden the criteria used to determine whether an individual should be granted parole, while an "Elder Parole" bill would ensure that an inmate over 55 or an inmate who has served at least 15 years in prison would be automatically granted a parole hearing despite the severity of their initial conviction. Both have been introduced in prior legislative sessions, yet failed to reach the floor of either chamber.
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TPW-NY is excited to partner with @firststepmovie on the NY theatrical release of the film on February 22nd at 5pm. See this complex, urgent story about the fight for progress on #criminaljusticereform and #addiction amidst the country's divides. Visit www.dctvny.org/s/firehousecinema to get tickets.
Film synopsis: In a divided America, Van Jones controversially works across party lines on landmark criminal justice reform and a more humane response to the addiction crisis. Attempting to be a bridge builder in a time of extreme polarization takes him deep into the inner workings of a divisive administration, internal debates within both parties, and the lives of frontline activists fighting for their communities. The Clean Slate NY campaign is fighting for a new law (S211/A1029) that will automatically clear a New Yorker’s conviction record once they become eligible. The civil damage a conviction record can inflict is often wide-ranging and enduring—permanently barring many individuals from basic opportunities like stable jobs, licenses to practice trades, and safe, secure housing. Clean Slate NY is about strengthening our communities by ensuring that New Yorkers are not punished beyond their sentences and can be full and fair participants in economic and civic life.
Click HERE to Join the RAPP Campaign's People's Campaign for Parole Justice on January 18, 2023, an advocacy day to celebrate the incredible achievements of formerly incarcerated people who have returned home to give back to their communities, and to call for passage of the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills to ensure all people in prison have meaningful pathways to release. We'll gather in Albany for marches, rallies, legislative meetings, and a press conference. Please join us to support the movement to pass the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills in 2023. |
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