Justice and equity demand parole reforms

The Times Union’s in-depth reporting on the injustices of the parole system has covered everything from racial disparities in parole releases to the shocking decrease in overall releases amid deadly COVID -19 outbreaks behind bars to blanket parole denial practices that reflect a lack of belief in redemption.

These articles leave policymakers with a stark choice: Enact reforms to root parole release determinations in our common values of personal transformation, accountability and community safety; or continue to allow people to be punished forever based solely on their worst day — or, truthfully, on their race or ethnicity.

The Fair & Timely Parole bill would ensure that people are evaluated on their current readiness to return to the community, restoring the parole release process to its original purpose.

In addition, the Elder Parole bill would deliver hope to despairing elders behind bars who face the certainty or near-certainty of living out their final years and dying in shackles no matter what they’ve done to change in the decades since their convictions.

To our state lawmakers, we say: Is justice defined as revenge and perpetual punishment? Or are the scales of justice balanced by redemption and transformation? Revenge does not heal; it fosters an endless cycle of harm that disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities.

The supermajority electoral win by the Democrats in the Legislature demonstrates that New Yorkers want justice reforms. It’s time to pass the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice’s platform. Jose Saldana

New York City Director, Release Aging People in Prison Campaign