One can only believe that it is more than coincidence that less than two weeks after The Citizen published my recent letter calling on State Senate Corrections Committee Chairman Mike Nozzolio to help get the long-stalled Second Chance Act passed by the U.S. Senate, that historic legislation is finally on its way to President Bush for approval. The sole dissenting senator (Richard Shelby, R-AL) at last withdrew his objection.
This historic enactment will provide for a two-year, $336 million prisoner re-entry initiative to expand community-based job training and placement services, to provide transitional housing, and to help newly released prisoners get mentoring, including from faith-based groups. The bill took more than four years to pass.
Congratulations and well done to Senator Nozzolio and his Senate Majority colleagues. It now remains for the State Legislature to ensure that we encourage the development of a community-based infrastructure of providers to access this infusion of federal dollars and deliver it to the most affected communities. This can be the dawn of a new day in community corrections, more effective crime control and community renewal in the state of New York.
Terry O'Neill
Albany
Congratulations and well done to Senator Nozzolio and his Senate Majority colleagues. It now remains for the State Legislature to ensure that we encourage the development of a community-based infrastructure of providers to access this infusion of federal dollars and deliver it to the most affected communities. This can be the dawn of a new day in community corrections, more effective crime control and community renewal in the state of New York.
Terry O'Neill
Albany
The Citizens' Say
There are 8 comment(s)
AJ wrote on Mar 24, 2008 12:58 AM:
cm wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:00 PM:
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cm wrote on Mar 23, 2008 9:58 PM:
I want justice done swiftly-like Sadham.
Trial, Guilty, beheaded a month later!
(I also prefer it to be televised!)
NL is right--everyone starts off, recieves an education and makes choices.
Why do I have to pay for their BAD choices?
AJ says poor people dont have even playing grounds--your right--middle class GETS THE SHAFT.
The poor have every aid handed to them from food, housing, to cars, to college tuitions, to medical, to lawyers,etc.
The rich can buy there way out of murder.
But the middle class-- works the hardest and suffers the most.
PS..
I don't see Iraq complaining on numerous inmates, needing monies for more prisons, or the great word of REHABILITATION!
"
AJ wrote on Mar 23, 2008 8:00 PM:
RE the topic, I don't condone what people who have been sentenced to prison have done as far as violent or property crime. The worst offenders are not in prison, they're on Wall St and in Washington.
Things are not as simple as you think. I don't know how many places you've lived, but I've lived in enough large cities to see what things are like for the poor (those are the ones most likely to wind up in prison). It's not a pretty picture, and not exactly a level playing field.
Isn't it enough that these people have done their time? You seem to want to continue their misery. The barriers to ex cons reintegrating back into society are way too high as it is, maybe we should be trying to help them. I presume if a program is setup wisely, it would drastically cut the recidivism rate and we'd all benefit. "
nature lover wrote on Mar 23, 2008 5:19 PM:
Hillbilly wrote on Mar 23, 2008 2:02 PM:
AJ wrote on Mar 23, 2008 1:12 PM:
Really, sometimes I think you are truly insane and lack any compassion whatsoever. "
cm wrote on Mar 23, 2008 10:15 AM:
why do the tax payers have to continue to pay for rapist,child molestors, and murderers?
If they can't follow the laws-and they go to prison why they cant get on their feet alone?
Tax payers need to get a senator that will add a "I bust my butt at work and need aid program" from some of the monies I put into the system!
why do the GOOD NOT get REWARDED???? "