10-04-2025
N.Y. Senate legislation proposes changes to parole and ‘earned time'
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Currently, there are two bills in review by The New York State Senate Committees which proposes changes to both parole proceedings and time allowances against incarcerated individuals' sentences.
The first bill, S.159, would require the state Board of Parole to release incarcerated individuals in state prisons who are eligible unless the parole case record demonstrates that person as a risk to the community or has potential to reoffend.
In the bill's justification, it outlines the perspective of the Senators in favor, including Sen. Jeremy Cooney of the 56th district and Sen. Samra Brouk of the 55th district. It details reasons as to why they believe the current decision-making process within the Board of Parole is not effective.
Executive Vice President of the Rochester Police Locust Club Paul Dondorfer explained why the officers in their organization believe the proposed changes could be harmful to the community.
'The men and women of the Rochester Police Department and every police department in the county work their tails off every day to get violent offenders off the street,' Dondorfer said. 'Once we do that, it's up to the criminal justice system to step in and instill punishment onto these people. What happens all the time when these offenders are let out?'
The second bill, S.342, would establish what is referred to as the 'Earned Time Act', with other states including Alabama and Oklahoma currently holding a similar legal structure as what is currently proposed for New York. If passed, the bill would provide time allowances against an incarcerated individual's sentence which would be credited on an annual basis.
The Center of Community Alternatives (CCA) has voiced their support for the passage of this bill alongside Rochester City Council President Miguel A. Melendez Jr., saying the bill would increase safety and allow formerly incarcerated individuals to re-enter society successfully.
'This effort helps us move toward a future where access to opportunity is centered and incarcerated members of our community are given a second chance at restoration,' Melendez said.
Cooney is the primary sponsor of this bill and says it's necessary in following suit of other states who have implemented similar laws and seen success.
'Incarceration without rehabilitation is a missed opportunity to set these individuals up for success and promote safety both inside and outside of the prison walls,' Cooney said. 'From vocational training to drug and alcohol treatment, earned time opportunities are a proven method to stop repeat offenders and lower costs for correctional facilities.'
Dondorfer believes the passage of this bill would take opportunities away from folks who are incarcerated to receive help.
'If someone is incarcerated, that's probably one of the best opportunities that they're going to have to get help, and you'd be taking that help away from them. As for the violent criminals, incarceration is sometimes just the best way to go. Some people are inherently bad,' Dondorfer said.
The full statement from the Locust Club on both of these bills can be found here.
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