Latest news with #EarnedTimeAct
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NY politicians cravenly aim to deny me the justice I'm owed for my son's murder
I have a question for every New York lawmaker pushing the Earned Time Act, Fair and Timely Parole Act, Elder Parole and Second Look Act: Does our pain mean anything to you? How do you fight so hard for the early release of murderers, yet forget the lives they destroyed? How do you look grieving families in the eye — if you even bother to — and still push bills that undo justice for the worst crimes imaginable? How do you fight to give mercy to violent offenders who showed none to the loved ones they murdered? You call it restorative justice and convince yourselves it's about rehabilitation, fairness, reform and second chances. You lean on talking points about over-incarceration, racial disparities, aging prison populations and taxpayer costs. And in doing so, you ignore the voices of those most affected. But let me be clear: There is no restoration for a life taken. There is no second chance for a murder victim. My son's life was taken by a violent, senseless act. He had his whole life ahead of him—a future, goals, a family who loved him deeply. He mattered. And when the person responsible was convicted, I sat in court and listened to the sentence. It felt like someone had finally said: What happened to him mattered. I believed we could begin to grieve, knowing the justice system had recognized the depth of our loss and the seriousness of the crime. How do you advocate for laws that will shorten sentences and hand out second chances to people who never gave their victims one? You talk about reform like it's progress, but for families like mine, it feels like betrayal. These bills don't promote healing — they reopen wounds. You are so focused on helping the people who caused the pain, you've completely forgotten the ones who live with it. These bills are gut punches to every family of a homicide victim who believed the sentence handed down in court would mean something. We were told justice had been served. Now you want to take that back — disguised as 'parole reform' — while ignoring the very real pain and trauma grieving families carry forever. Where is the fairness for the families who live with this pain every single day? You tell yourselves a story that makes it easier to forget ours. It's easier to push a set of bills when you've turned a blind eye to the reality behind the sentence — and an even blinder eye to the irreparable harm caused by the offender. You disconnect from the devastation. When you pass laws that prioritize criminals over victims, you're not reforming the system — you're erasing us. Stop acting like our pain is just an unfortunate side effect of your so-called reform. You shouldn't get to build a political legacy by trampling on the families already shattered by violent crime. Justice is not disposable. And victims deserve more than your indifference. Victims' families, like mine, find it beyond outrageous and callous that you would seek to lessen consequences for violent offenders while brush off the suffering of those they harmed. You are determined to help incarcerated individuals, even if it means re-traumatizing families of homicide victims in the process. We are not collateral damage in your agenda. We were promised justice. Don't take that away from us. We deserve justice — that lasts. And to every New Yorker who believes in real justice — your voice matters. Speak up. Demand that lawmakers stop rewriting sentences and start standing with victims. We cannot allow violent offenders to be treated as if they're the ones who've been wronged. Theresa Bliss is a victims' rights advocate from Suffolk County. After losing her son to homicide, she dedicated herself to fighting legislation that prioritizes violent offenders over victims.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lefty Albany pols pushing series of bills to approve early parole for violent convicts, Nassau DA warns
The Democratic-run New York state legislature could rush through a series of bills to give convicts early parole and prevent law enforcement from keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned Sunday. In recent years, Democrats clawed back controversial cashless bail and discovery laws after serial criminals were let loose, triggering massive political blowback. 'These bills undercut everything we work for every day — building strong cases, securing convictions, and ensuring justice is served,' Donnelly, a Republican up for re-election this fall, told The Post. 'When prosecutors do the hard work of putting violent offenders behind bars, we should be backed by laws that protect that progress — not laws that allow those same criminals to return to our communities years before their sentences are complete,' added Donnelly, who is holding a press conference Monday announcing her opposition to the bills. Among the bills drawing concern is the Elder Parole bill — which would require inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to be considered for early release, regardless of the seriousness of the crime committed. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn). Another bill, the Earned Time Act, would make most violent felons eligible for time allowance credits, potentially slashing their prison sentences in half, Donnelly said. The earned time bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca). A third bill — the Second Look Act — would permit prisoners to petition the courts for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years, including inmates convicted of violent crimes. The legislation is promoted by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn). GOP Long Island lawmakers oppose the early parole bills, including Assemblyman Edward Ra and Sen. Jack Martins. Crime victims' advocate Madeline Brame, whose Army Sergeant son Hason Correa was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago, expressed outrage at the proposals to give violent cons a break. 'These proposals completely disregard the pain and effort that go into holding criminals accountable,' she said. 'We need to help prosecutors put violent offenders behind bars — not give criminals new waysto get out early.' Gov. Kathy Hochul toyed with early release proposals in April as a way to try to alleviate the prison population amid an illegal prison guard strike and a staffing shortage. She was forced to bring in the National Guard to staff the prisons. She proposed opening eligibility for merit time in the state budget, then backed down after it was revealed doing so could lead to people who were in for violent crimes to be released early. Donnelly was among those who raised the alarm. Inmate advocates have pushed for early parole and other reforms after prisoners were allegedly killed at the hands of guards over the past year.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Nassau DA warns of Albany push to approve early parole for violent convicts
The Democratic-run New York state legislature could rush through a series of bills to give convicts early parole and prevent law enforcement from keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned Sunday. In recent years, Democrats clawed back controversial cashless bail and discovery laws after serial criminals were let loose, triggering massive political blowback. 'These bills undercut everything we work for every day — building strong cases, securing convictions, and ensuring justice is served,' Donnelly, a Republican up for re-election this fall, told The Post. Advertisement 3 Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Brigitte Stelzer 'When prosecutors do the hard work of putting violent offenders behind bars, we should be backed by laws that protect that progress — not laws that allow those same criminals to return to our communities years before their sentences are complete,' added Donnelly, who is holding a press conference Monday announcing her opposition to the bills. Among the bills drawing concern is the Elder Parole bill — which would require inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to be considered for early release, regardless of the seriousness of the crime committed. Advertisement The measure is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn). Another bill, the Earned Time Act, would make most violent felons eligible for time allowance credits, potentially slashing their prison sentences in half, Donnelly said. The earned time bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca). 3 Madeline Brame's son, Hason Correa, was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago. Steven Hirsch Advertisement A third bill — the Second Look Act — would permit prisoners to petition the courts for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years, including inmates convicted of violent crimes. The legislation is promoted by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn). GOP Long Island lawmakers oppose the early parole bills, including Assemblyman Edward Ra and Sen. Jack Martins. 3 The New York State Capitol building. Hans Pennink for the NY Post Advertisement Crime victims' advocate Madeline Brame, whose Army Sergeant son Hason Correa was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago, expressed outrage at the proposals to give violent cons a break. 'These proposals completely disregard the pain and effort that go into holding criminals accountable,' she said. 'We need to help prosecutors put violent offenders behind bars — not give criminals new ways to get out early.' Gov. Kathy Hochul toyed with early release proposals in April as a way to try to alleviate the prison population amid an illegal prison guard strike and a staffing shortage. She was forced to bring in the National Guard to staff the prisons. She proposed opening eligibility for merit time in the state budget, then backed down after it was revealed doing so could lead to people who were in for violent crimes to be released early. Donnelly was among those who raised the alarm. Inmate advocates have pushed for early parole and other reforms after prisoners were allegedly killed at the hands of guards over the past year.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers call for sentencing reforms as Marcy officers return to court
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Lawmakers and advocates are calling for the passing of sentencing reforms as three corrections officers appear in court Tuesday morning. Three of the officers connected to the deadly beating of Robert Brooks are scheduled to appear in court Tuesday in Utica. They were offered more time to decide on their plea agreements, despite objections from the prosecution. Meanwhile, in Albany, lawmakers are calling for the passage of the Second Look Act, Earned Time Act, and Marvin Mayfield Act. These bills aim to allow incarcerated individuals to apply for sentence reductions and eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, among other changes Some of the advocates of these bills include the family of Robert Brooks. Investigators say Brooks was beaten in an infirmary at Marcy Correctional Facility and died from the attack. Multiple officers have been charged with murder. The three officers will be in court at 9:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
