Although in Albany it#'s always dangerous to celebrate a legislative agreement until the bill has been passed and the governor has actually signed it, we offer praise to the advocates and legislators who this week have secured a deal to improve the handling of mentally ill inmates in state prisons.
Former Gov. George Pataki and, until this week, Gov. Eliot Spitzer had resisted legislation to curtail the use of solitary confinement on mentally ill inmates.
The legislation also improves treatment of the inmates and training for prison staff.
But a deal has been reached by all sides #- the state Senate, Assembly and the governor - to finally get this measure into law. We urge the two parties that still have to live up to the agreement #- the Assembly and the governor #- to waste little time in making this pact official.
That's because every day in which New York's prisons continue to keep mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement as a means of punishment is a day in which safety in these facilities can be compromised. Inmate advocates, professional mental health care providers and correction officers have all been clear that this practice is only making these inmates#' health worse, and their behavior more dangerous.
State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, who chairs the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, announced this deal Monday. He deserves credit for staying on top of this issue even after the Legislature's regular session ended.
“I remain committed to doing all that I can to ensure that New York state continues to promote and advance initiatives such as these which make our correctional facilities more humane and safer for both the inmates and the brave men and women who work there,” Nozzolio said in a press release.
It's estimated that 12 percent of the state prison inmate population has a serious mental illness, a figure that#'s on the rise in recent years. Hopefully this agreement is a major step toward reducing that figure, and making the workplaces for so many Cayuga County residences less hostile.
The legislation also improves treatment of the inmates and training for prison staff.
But a deal has been reached by all sides #- the state Senate, Assembly and the governor - to finally get this measure into law. We urge the two parties that still have to live up to the agreement #- the Assembly and the governor #- to waste little time in making this pact official.
That's because every day in which New York's prisons continue to keep mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement as a means of punishment is a day in which safety in these facilities can be compromised. Inmate advocates, professional mental health care providers and correction officers have all been clear that this practice is only making these inmates#' health worse, and their behavior more dangerous.
State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, who chairs the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, announced this deal Monday. He deserves credit for staying on top of this issue even after the Legislature's regular session ended.
“I remain committed to doing all that I can to ensure that New York state continues to promote and advance initiatives such as these which make our correctional facilities more humane and safer for both the inmates and the brave men and women who work there,” Nozzolio said in a press release.
It's estimated that 12 percent of the state prison inmate population has a serious mental illness, a figure that#'s on the rise in recent years. Hopefully this agreement is a major step toward reducing that figure, and making the workplaces for so many Cayuga County residences less hostile.
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.