Law enforcement leaders criticize 'Less is More' Act; 17 parolees reportedly released - 13WHAM-TV

Rochester, N.Y. — Local law enforcement leaders are expressing concerns about a new reform that addresses technical violations for parolees.

Under the new reform, signed into law last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the practice of incarcerating parolees for violations such as missing curfew or an appointment with a parole officer will no longer be in effect.

Advocates for the measure say the law is necessary in order to help reduce recidivism and allow parolees the chance to fully reenter society.

Tuesday, several local law enforcement leaders criticized the new measure, citing an alleged lack of communication from Albany on the matter and concern about parolees who were released.

Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode said police received rescinding orders for 22 parole violation warrants. Seventeen of those parolees, he said, were released.

VanBrederode did not release the names of those who were released, however he said some are persons of interest in active investigations.

“We have some grave concerns of who was released and exactly what their backgrounds are, and in typical fashion we are playing catch-up to figure out who they are and what their backgrounds are and what, if any, threat they pose to our community, our families, our neighbors, witnesses,” he said. “These are all considerations that we’re looking at right now.”

Law enforcement leaders argue the technical violations were a tool to help keep parolees on the right path after their release.

“These are all little rules that we put in place to keep them on a straight and narrow lifestyle,” he said. “We have found that when they start to violate those technical violations, that they end up going off and getting themselves re-arrested. Those technical violations were very good tools to keep them straight and to keep them honest and to keep them out of jail.”

There is no word yet on whether there will be more releases. VanBrederode said communication, or the alleged lack thereof, with Albany has been another serious concern.

“It is inconceivable,” he said, “the lack of communication and the lack of partnership that we have had from Albany.”

Before she signed the bill last week, Gov. Hochul called New York’s parole system antiquated. She argued incarcerations related to technical violations don’t add to public safety, and are more likely to interfere with the lives of those who’ve paid their debts to society.

“Parole is meant to help people return to life, reentry programs, not just drop them on a curb and say ‘good luck’, but to have a system of monitoring when required, to make sure they comply with what they’re supposed to do, but ultimately become part of society again,” she said.

“All too often, in this state particularly, it becomes a ticket back into jail because of very technical violations,” she added. “...It lands people back in a place that they finally paid their debt to and released from, and they’re back among the masses, no chance at rehabilitation, no chance to get that job, no chance to be reunited with their families.”

Hochul said New York incarcerates more people on parole rule violations than any other state.

source: https://13wham.com/news/local/law-enforcement-leaders-criticize-less-is-more-act-17-parolees-reportedly-released

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