By Emma Quinn via WRGB Albany
ALBANY (WRGB) — By March 2022, over $680 million dollars of New York state tax dollars can be redistributed once the “Less is More” Act takes effect.
The legislation was signed by Governor Hochul on Friday and means those on parole will no longer get sentenced for a technical parole violation.
These violations can range from missing curfew to or being late to a parole meeting.
Organizations like the Katal Center for Equity, Health and Justice helped write the “Less is More” legislation say it would like to see more funding go into public safety measures and transitional programs for formerly incarcerated people.
Kenyatta Muzzann, Katal’s Director of Organizing says providing transitional resources are critical when supporting former inmates out on parole.
“Specifically, housing, we know that people need access to safe housing. we also know that people need jobs, especially people who are formerly incarcerated,” she said. “They are often barred from getting certain employment.”
For formerly incarcerated man, Dontie Mitchell says not everyone has a support system or guidance when re-integrating back into society. He adds investing into transitional programs would help the rates of recidivism in the state.
“Other individuals might end up going back to committing crimes as a means of supporting themselves,” he said. “Because they don’t have a place to stay, or they don’t have the money to pay for food. I’m still in between trying to get emergency assistance from DSS.”
Mitchell adds programing for at risk youth would also be beneficial and prevent kids from even getting into the prison system.
Katal members say right now they are urging the Governor to fully enact the bill as soon as possible and not wait until March.
