New York prisons to release some inmates early due to staffing shortage
Hundreds of people with non-violent felony convictions may be released from New York state prisons up to three-and-a-half months early.
Officials say it's all part of the latest impact of the corrections system staffing crisis.
"This staffing shortage is definitely self-inflicted"
CBS News New York discussed the early release plan with opponents and advocates on Wednesday.
Critics say it's a sign of a corrections system in crisis. A memo from New York State Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello announced a plan to release people with non-violent felony convictions up to 110 days early, as long as they have suitable housing and did not commit certain sex or drug-related offenses.
The goal is to reduce the prison population, after more than 2,000 corrections officers quit or were fired following the recent unauthorized strike.
"This staffing shortage is definitely self-inflicted. It came from years of bad policy coming out of Albany," Assemblyman Anil Beephan said.
Beephan calls early release a Band-Aid that ignores issues such as inmate violence that contribute to the staffing crisis. He joined other Republicans in slamming Gov. Kathy Hochul for approving early release.
"What's her excuse to the families that were impacted by these crimes? What's her excuse to the victims? This is not right. This memo is so shortsighted," Beephan said.
Advocates for incarcerated people are pushing for reforms in Albany, including the Second Look Act, which would allow judges to review sentences after 10 years.
Early release is necessary, advocate says
"I don't think this is a time for fear-mongering and things like that," said Melanie Michelle, an advocate with the Center for Community Alternatives.
Michelle, who has a son in state prison, says early release for a limited number of incarcerated people is a necessary stop-gap measure at a time when prisons are struggling to staff programs, recreation, and visitation.
"They were going to return home anyways. This is just kind of speeding up that process of their re-entry into communities. They're still going to be monitored," Michelle said.
Meanwhile, people recently sentenced to state prison are being held at county jails, including 17 in Westchester County, due to the state corrections officers shortage.