Latest news with #DanielMartuscello
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
New York to make phone calls free in its state prisons
New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday. People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost 2.4 cents a minute. The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a statement that said "improved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities." "Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual's outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism," said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. New York City jails have offered free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models. The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- The Independent
New York to make phone calls free in its state prisons
New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday. People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost 2.4 cents a minute. The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a statement that said 'improved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities.' "Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual's outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism," said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. New York City jails have offered free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models. The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New York to make phone calls free in its state prisons
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday. People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost $.024 per minute. The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a statement that said 'improved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities.' 'Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual's outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism,' said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. New York City jails have offered free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models. The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NY to release incarcerated people early from state prisons. How will the releases work?
Up to 700 incarcerated people in New York will be eligible for early release under a new measure aimed at addressing staffing shortages in the state's prison system, state officials said Wednesday, April 2. The early release policy came after state officials last month fired 2,000 prison workers who refused to return to work following the resolution of an illegal, three-week strike. The incarcerated people eligible for early release were already approved for release within the next roughly 90 days, state Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello said, noting the final figure of people getting released early would likely be less than 700 because cases are still being evaluated to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Incarcerated people are not eligible for the early release program if they have been convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or more serious felonies like murder, terrorism, and arson, Martuscello said during a media briefing in Albany. Those being released early must also have an approved residence, which is not a shelter or Department of Social Services placement. Details of the early release program were released in a memo directing state prison leaders to identify incarcerated people who met the eligibility requirements. The list of early release candidates was to be finalized by Friday, the memo noted. The details of the early release memo included: The incarcerated person is within 15 to 110 days of an approved release date, and has identified an approved residence for them to use upon release. The memo prohibits the early release of anyone serving a sentence for an A-1 or A-1 non-drug offense, a class B through E violent felony offense, or a sex offense. Lawsuits: 2 upstate NY counties sue to overturn Gov. Hochul ban on hiring prison workers who struck The early release program aims to help ease the strain on about 10,000 workers across the state's 42 prisons since the firing of thousands of workers. The state has also in the process of beginning to demobilize the thousands of National Guard members who were deployed to staff prisons during and after the strike, Martuscello said. Overall, the state's prison population is down about 55% from its high in 1999, with the number of incarcerated people falling from 72,773 to 32,400, according to statistics provided by the state. Mass firing: NY prison strike ends after three weeks with most workers returning and 2,000 being fired New York Republicans slammed Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration and other Democratic state lawmakers for releasing incarcerated people early, calling it potentially dangerous. "This desperate measure highlights many of the concerns raised by correctional officers regarding inadequate staffing and the safety of inmates, staff and visitors at facilities statewide," Assembly Republicans said in a statement. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY state prison early release: What to know
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New York prisons to release some inmates early due to staffing shortage
New York state prisons will release some inmates early due to a shortage of corrections officers. The move comes weeks after the state fired more than 2,000 guards who carried out an unauthorized strike over poor working conditions. In a memo Monday, New York State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello directed prison leaders to start identifying inmates who were convicted of minor crimes and already set for release within 15 to 110 days to be considered for an early discharge. Inmates convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies or serious felonies, such as murder, terrorism or arson, would not be eligible for early release, the corrections department said. Martuscello wrote the early releases would occur 'in view of the current staffing crisis, and in order to have the appropriate balance between the safety and well-being of those working and residing" in state prisons. The move follows a widespread corrections officer strike that lasted for 22 days and crippled the operations of state's prison system. The state eventually fired more than 2,000 guards who refused to return to work after reaching a deal with the guards' union to end the work stoppage. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order that prevents state agencies from hiring guards who were fired for striking . A spokesperson for the governor said she supports Martuscello's "efforts to safely address staffing shortages and personnel concerns" in a statement Tuesday. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler responded with a statement, reading in part, "Governor Hochul's decision to release inmates early is a dangerous misstep that puts New Yorkers at risk."
