New York Needs Parole Reform Now

New York incarcerates more people for parole violations than any other state in the country.  Black and Latinx New Yorkers are much more likely to be sent to Rikers and state prison for these “technical” violations—like missing curfew or appointments with parole officers or testing positive for drugs—than white people. Despite the lack of evidence of any public safety benefit, incarcerating people for parole violations cost New York taxpayers over $680 million in 2019—money that could be much better spent to help people succeed in the community.

The Less Is More Act (S.1144 – Benjamin / A.5576 – Forrest) would greatly reduce incarceration for technical violations and incentivize good behavior on parole.  Backed by eight DAs and over 250 organizations, it would bring us a major step closer to shuttering the notorious Rikers jails forever.

To learn more about the Less Is More Act, click here.