Griffo, Senate Republicans push back on bills that would reduce prison sentences through good merit time; change the parole process

ALBANY, NY- New York Republicans are pushing back against a pair of proposals that would bring further reforms to the state prison systems.

Senate Bill 342, sponsored by Jeremy Cooney (D) would allow inmates to reduce their prison sentences by up to 75% through good time and merit time allowances, regardless of the severity of their crimes, while Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Julia Salazar (D) would dramatically change the parole process by presuming that an inmate should be released, unless the Board of Parole can prove the individual is currently an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Senator Joe Griffo (R) condemns these proposals for being what he calls “pro prisoner.” “While I recognize that criminal justice reform is needed, this is not the approach the state should be taking to accomplish this objective,” Griffo explained.

Under Senate Bill 342, according to Griffo’s office, someone convicted of a serious offense, such as rape in the first degree or assault in the first degree, could be released after serving just 6.25 years.

Furthermore, once inmates earn merit time credits, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) would be unable to revoke them, even if the inmate engages in misconduct while incarcerated, Griffo's office claimed.

This development blooms during National Crime Victims’ Week, where Governor Kathy Hochul made remarks during a special ceremony. “There's no definition of a crime or a crime victim because there's so many different manifestations of it. But there is one common denominator, and that is searing pain,” she said.

Meanwhile, Griffo says he will continue to support policies that prioritize crime victims and law-abiding New Yorkers over criminals.

Griffo's office says that he also recognizes the importance of expanding involuntary mental health commitments to enhance public safety and protect communities, especially given recent tragedies across New York City that have included the brutal attack of four young children in Brooklyn, individuals fatally pushed onto subway tracks and a woman burned alive on the F train. Many of these violent acts were carried out by individuals suffering from severe, untreated mental illness.

Albany, NY Capitol Plaza image.