Nassau County District Lawyer Anne Donnelly blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul for releasing scores of inmates early due to a staffing disaster at state prisons.
“Governor Hochul’s decision to release hundreds or even thousands of prisoners before they have served their full prison terms is a reckless and shortsighted response to a crisis of her own making,” mentioned Donnelly, a Republican working for re-election this fall.
“This move undermines the safety of law-abiding New Yorkers and sends the wrong message to those who have been convicted of crimes.”
State Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello just lately directed jail leaders to determine inmates who had been convicted of minor crimes and already set for launch inside 15 to 110 days to be thought of to be sprung early from the slammer.
It comes after the state fired greater than 2,000 correction officers who went on strike over poor working situations.
The state Division of Corrections and Group Supervision mentioned it recognized 766 inmates who had been inside 110 days of their accepted launch dates — and had sprung 103 of them to residential remedy applications as of Tuesday.
One other 142 convicted are nonetheless being reviewed for potential launch, a DOCCS rep mentioned.
The remaining 521 people have been deemed ineligible for numerous causes — together with pending warrants or lack of an accepted non-shelter residence, the spokesperson mentioned.
Donnelly and state Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Backyard Metropolis) are drafting laws to cease the state from authorizing the early launch of prisoners to handle staffing or price range challenges.
The unlawful strike by correction officers was costing the state greater than $100 million a month largely by Hochul activating the New York Military Nationwide Guard to cope with the staffing scarcity, her price range director Blake Washington just lately instructed reporters.
Hochul accused Donnelly and Ra of grandstanding and condoning the unlawful strike, which ended final month after seven weeks of strife.
“New York’s correctional system is facing a staffing crisis because thousands of correction officers broke the law, walked off the job and refused to return to work — putting their fellow COs, civilian staff and incarcerated individuals at risk,” mentioned Hochul spokesperson Jess D’Amelia.
“Instead of being honest with New Yorkers, these politicians are defending lawbreakers and twisting the truth. So here are the facts: DOCCS will not grant early release to anyone convicted of sex crimes, terrorism or violent felonies, and this policy will only apply to individuals whose sentences will be completed in the next 110 days.”
The Hochul rep mentioned her administration is “tuning out the noise” and can proceed working to enhance working situations for corrections officers and to implement the reforms initiated after the “brutal murder” of inmate Robert Brooks.
“No individuals convicted of violent felony or sex offenses have or will be released as part of these early releases,” added DOCCS spokesman Thomas Mailey.
“Commissioner Martuscello directed that a list of incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released in the next few months be reviewed for their transition into Residential Treatment. Incarcerated individuals are not eligible for the program if they have been convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or more serious felonies like murder, terrorism, and arson. Participating individuals must also have an approved residence, which is not a shelter or DSS placement,” the rep added.
Donnelly, a Republican, is in search of re-election as Nassau’s chief prosecutor this fall, going through off in opposition to Democrat Nicole Aloise.
