By: Brooklyn Eagle Staff, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
STATEWIDE — The Elder Parole Bill, which is currently in committee in both houses of the New York State legislature, received support from New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, June 2. This bill, whose chief sponsor is State Senator Brad Hoylman of Manhattan, would allow older adults who
have already served long sentences to be considered by the Parole Board, on a case-by-case basis, for release to parole supervision.
Brooklyn delegation state lawmakers co-sponsoring the Elder Parole Bill include State Senator Jabari Brisport (D-25/Navy Yard to Brownsville) and Assemblymembers Robert Carroll (D-44/Prospect Hts. to Kensington) and Maritza Davila (D-53/Eastern Brooklyn) The bill would not guarantee anyone’s release, but it would provide hope by providing people an opportunity to appear before the Board.
More than a dozen of the state’s leading crime victim and survivor advocates and anti-violence advocates are calling for passage of the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills, along with Fair Access to Victim Compensation, including: Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
Attorney General James, sharing on social media a Spectrum News article on Elder Parole gaining majority Senate co-sponsorship, said, “The Elder Parole bill will help create a pathway for people to re-enter our society and be reunited with their families. When people transform their lives, they deserve an opportunity for redemption.”