New York Parole Bills Over Early Release of Aging Inmates Trigger Sharp Divide: 'We Will Fight Tooth and Nail'

Two proposed New York bills have led to a divide among lawmakers and experts. The state is planning to introduce the Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole legislation to ease parole eligibility requirements for the aging prison population.

The Elder Parole Bill would allow incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older to be eligible for a parole hearing after serving at least 15 years of their sentence. The proposal aims to reduce the number of aging inmates, who advocates say are the most expensive to house due to their medical requirements.

Advocates also state that elderly inmates are least likely to commit crimes again. Notably, the bill does not mandate the automatic release of prisoners. It only grants an inmate the right to appear before the Parole Board. The board then evaluates whether to grant parole.

Supporters of the bill claim it will save more than $500 million every year. On the other hand, victims' rights groups argue that the bill will undermine the original sentencing of criminals and allow people accused of violent crimes to leave prison early.

At the same time, the Fair and Timely Parole defines how the Parole board can make its decisions. Under this bill, if an individual has served their minimum sentence, the board would be required to grant them parole, unless they pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Under current law, the board often denies parole based on the seriousness of the offense. This factor will not be considered under the Fair and Timely Parole legislation. Once again, the bill has drawn mixed reactions. Some claim it will promote good behavior and personal growth during incarceration, while others say it will force the release of dangerous individuals.

Jose Saldaña, a staunch supporter of the two bills and the director of the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) Campaign, said in an official statement, “They [elderly inmates] have the lowest rates of reoffending once released and the highest medical bills while imprisoned. Currently, state prisons have substandard hospice wards for people with terminal illnesses and whole units for people with dementia. Prisons shouldn’t be nursing homes or morgues.”

The New York City Bar Association echoed similar sentiments in a statement and said, “These laws benefit everyone: the public who deserve reforms designed to prevent rather than perpetuate crime; taxpayers who should not bear the expense of unnecessary prison sentences; and those convicted, who should be treated justly and proportionately.”

On the other hand, the Police Benevolent Association has strongly opposed the bills and stated, “There is no age and no formula that can absolve cop-killers of their heinous crimes or entitle them to rejoin society. We will fight tooth and nail alongside the families of our murdered police officers to ensure these bills do not become law.”

Former Erie County District Attorney John Flynn has also expressed concerns over the bills. “The reality is, is that there are individuals who are in prison right now who committed heinous offenses, murders, r—--, armed robberies, and these individuals, quite frankly, deserve to do their entire sentence,” he said in an interview with WGRZ.