Blas: ‘ Free’ suspects

Mayor de Blasio plans to triple the number of lowlevel criminal suspects let loose without bail under a supervised release program — although a quarter of defendants participating now are rearrested.

The move, which comes at a cost of $ 17 million, is part of a broader effort to eliminate bail since the suicide of Kalief Browder, 22, who was held on Rikers Island for three years without trial because he couldn’t cover the $ 3,000 bail.

“Roughly 14 percent of all defendants who are processed through New York City courts are held on bail at arraignment,” said Dominique Day, of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, at a City Council hearing Wednesday.

Because New York is one of a few states where judges can’t call for bail based on the defendant’s risk of reoffending, Day said it’s difficult to assess who’s detained for good reason and who isn’t.

Councilman Rory Lancman ( DQueens) questioned expanding the program, citing a Criminal Justice Association report that found a rearrest rate in January of 25 percent. “That is something people are legitimately concerned about,” he said. Michael Gartland