Each Thursday, we put one of our local newsmakers On The Spot. This week: State Senator Mike Nozzolio
This week's question: The number of felons being paroled in New York rose dramatically last year. Is this a sign of poor oversight or simply a coincidental occurrence? Is a new law changing the way the parole board operates really necessary?
Shockingly, 215 convicted murderers were granted parole last year and released back on to the streets.
This alarming trend of murderers and violent felons being released from prison must be stopped. Throughout my tenure in the state Legislature, I have worked tirelessly to protect our communities and you can be assured that I will not stand by as more and more criminals are released onto the streets.
There are three important provisions that Parole Board members must take into account when deliberating whether an inmate is fit to be paroled. They must factor in the nature of the crime that was committed, the threat the inmate poses to society if released, and the inmate's rehabilitation record while they have been incarcerated.
The growing number of murderers and dangerous convicts being released clearly indicates a growing disregard by Parole Board members of the heinous nature of the crimes that sent these perpetrators to prison.
Data released by the State Division of Parole shows that violent felons appearing for the first time before the Parole Board in 2007 were released at a rate 180 percent higher than the year before.
In an effort to curb this dangerous trend, I convened the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee last month to hear testimony from Division of Parole Chairman George Alexander and Division of Criminal Justice Services Director Denise O'Donnell. Unfortunately, their testimony did not offer any tangible reason for the alarming increase in the release of violent felons.
It is apparent that legislative measures must be taken to strengthen New York's parole policy. This legislative session, I am sponsoring comprehensive legislation that will require a unanimous vote of at least three Parole Board Members for parole to be granted to inmates convicted of a violent felony.
In addition, my legislation will require the Division of Parole to maintain a listing of inmates and their parole eligibility dates on their Web site as well as notify a victim or their family when their perpetrator's hearing is scheduled so that they can testify as to the harm that has been caused to them.
To learn more about this legislation, please visit my Web site at www.senatornozzolio.com and sign-up for an on-line petition to express your support.
Shockingly, 215 convicted murderers were granted parole last year and released back on to the streets.
This alarming trend of murderers and violent felons being released from prison must be stopped. Throughout my tenure in the state Legislature, I have worked tirelessly to protect our communities and you can be assured that I will not stand by as more and more criminals are released onto the streets.
There are three important provisions that Parole Board members must take into account when deliberating whether an inmate is fit to be paroled. They must factor in the nature of the crime that was committed, the threat the inmate poses to society if released, and the inmate's rehabilitation record while they have been incarcerated.
The growing number of murderers and dangerous convicts being released clearly indicates a growing disregard by Parole Board members of the heinous nature of the crimes that sent these perpetrators to prison.
Data released by the State Division of Parole shows that violent felons appearing for the first time before the Parole Board in 2007 were released at a rate 180 percent higher than the year before.
In an effort to curb this dangerous trend, I convened the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee last month to hear testimony from Division of Parole Chairman George Alexander and Division of Criminal Justice Services Director Denise O'Donnell. Unfortunately, their testimony did not offer any tangible reason for the alarming increase in the release of violent felons.
It is apparent that legislative measures must be taken to strengthen New York's parole policy. This legislative session, I am sponsoring comprehensive legislation that will require a unanimous vote of at least three Parole Board Members for parole to be granted to inmates convicted of a violent felony.
In addition, my legislation will require the Division of Parole to maintain a listing of inmates and their parole eligibility dates on their Web site as well as notify a victim or their family when their perpetrator's hearing is scheduled so that they can testify as to the harm that has been caused to them.
To learn more about this legislation, please visit my Web site at www.senatornozzolio.com and sign-up for an on-line petition to express your support.
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curmudgeon wrote on Feb 25, 2008 12:30 PM:
Regarding the release of prisoners by the State Parole Board, you say:
"...In an effort to curb this dangerous trend, I convened the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee last month to hear testimony from Division of Parole Chairman George Alexander and Division of Criminal Justice Services Director Denise O'Donnell. Unfortunately, their testimony did not offer any tangible reason for the alarming increase in the release of violent felons."
What were the findings of this committee? Without further information, we can only assume that the experts in the business of criminal justice and parole (that you selected) did not support your opinions on the subject.
The way I understand it, parole rules are part of existing state legislation. You are right in suggesting that legislation is required to change the way things are now, but you need to identify the problems with the current rules first.
Of course felons are released from prison every day - at the end of their sentences, and when a parole hearing determines they should be.
You should be ashamed of your scare tactics and what you leave unstated on this issue. "