Amid parole controversy, released murderers stay out of trouble

ALBANY - Caught in a political crossfire over the release of violent felons, New York parole officials report that none of the 456 violent felons paroled in the last four years was sent back to prison for committing a new crime.

Parole for murderers and other violent felons flared into a political issue recently after their release rates increased under former Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The controversy is unlikely to fade away under Gov. David Paterson, with Republican critics still pressing for changes. When asked by a reporter, Paterson called the violent felon release rates “a serious concern.”

The issue centers on parole of so-called A1 felons - those convicted of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping or arson in the first degree. Republicans called the higher release rates under Spitzer alarming. Administration officials countered that parole boards, still dominated by members appointed by Republican George Pataki, must by law consider not only the applicant's crime, but his prison record and prior criminal record.