thebigp

Joe Messina—3/16/24—printed off 3/24/24
Crime in New York is lucrative, as evidenced by a proposed bill in Albany that aims to assist former inmates with a $2,600 payout upon their release to support their reintegration into society
. Introduced by State Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, the legislation suggests providing ex-convicts with approximately $400 per month for six months post-release, with a requested allocation of $25 million for the program.
According to Fox 5 New York, currently, there are no limitations on how or where the money can be spent.
State Senator George Borrello opposes the bill.
“My colleagues seem to think that these these are folks that are a victim of circumstances,” Borrello said. “You chose to commit a crime in New York State. If you really are concerned about how much money you’re going to have in your pocket when you leave prison, then don’t go there to begin with.”
Right now when people leave prison they are given $40, which comes from their garnished earnings behind bars.
“In this economy that amount is barely enough to get groceries or purchase clothes for a job interview,” bill sponsor Assemblyman Gibbs said. “The first 72 hours after release are crucial in determining an individual’s successful reintegration into society. By increasing the amount to up to $2550 in the span of a few months we allow folks the opportunity to reach their full potential. This isn’t just a social justice bill but a public safety one. We need to start offering real support to folks re-entering society if we want to reduce recidivism and ensure stability and dignity for all.”
The proposed bill is being introduced amidst a surge of criminal activities in New York.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has unveiled a new strategy to deploy 750 National Guard members as a last-resort measure to address the widespread crimes affecting New York City’s subway system.