Senator Mark Walczyk has expressed his opposition to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s (DOCCS) decision to release some inmates early from state prisons. The early release plan targets inmates within 110 days of their scheduled release, excluding those convicted of high-level felonies, violent crimes, or sex offenses. This comes amid a staffing crisis with demands from correctional officers for safer working conditions.
“Instead of focusing on the safety of correctional officers, DOCCS is now moving to release inmates early? Insane!” stated Senator Walczyk. “They’re falling behind every step of the way – chasing every new problem they create. Our parole officers are already short-staffed and expected to manage caseloads of hundreds of convicts. DOCCS is going to accelerate their caseload without relief and we know what the end result will be: criminals doing more crime.”
The controversy follows a recent event where nearly 50 correction officers at the Mid-State Correctional Facility declined to enter the facility, citing dangerously low staffing levels as the cause.
“Our correctional officers have been urgently demanding safer working conditions amidst a staffing crisis,” said Walczyk. “Now, with this reckless policy, DOCCS is putting the safety of our communities at risk.”
Senator Walczyk urged for alternatives to the situation, proposing rehiring terminated corrections officers, suspending the HALT Act, and prioritizing facility safety from dangerous drugs.
“It is imperative that we uphold the safety of our correctional facilities and prioritize the needs of our officers,” Walczyk concluded. “We cannot afford to overwhelm parole and compromise public safety by releasing inmates early. It’s time for DOCCS to take accountability for the chaos they have created and ensure our correctional officers are supported in their vital roles.”
