By ALISSA CLAUSELL / CHANNEL 2 WGRZ (via NEWSBREAK)
It’s a controversial proposal and it’s back in the New York State legislature once again. The Elder Parole Bill would give certain incarcerated people who are 55 and older a chance to appear before the New York State Board of Parole after serving at least 15 years.
The bill states that the [parole] interview must occur within 60 days of their 55th birthday, or after they complete 15 years of their sentence, whichever comes later. If parole is not granted, they must get another parole interview within 24 months. Tracie Adams, a community organizer with the group Release Aging People in Prison, says, “Many incarcerated people work to rehabilitate themselves while serving their sentences.”
Meanwhile, former Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says the bill could give people convicted of serious, violent crimes a chance at early release…