Res. No. 417

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.514/S.454, which would amend the New York State Executive Law in relation to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated individuals aged fifty-five years of age or older

By Council Member Brooks-Powers

Whereas, Currently there are an estimated 30,000 incarcerated individuals on any given day in New York State-run prisons; and

Whereas, New York City residents who have been convicted of a crime that carries more than a one year sentence are sent to New York State prisons; and

Whereas, New York State currently has the third largest population in the country of individuals serving terms of life imprisonment; and

Whereas, Housing an older adult in a State prison, as defined by the New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to be adults fifty-five years of age or older, can cost New York taxpayers up to $240,000 annually; and

Whereas, Studies show that rearrest rates for older adults released from prison are low, particularly for those originally convicted of serious crimes; and

Whereas, Many older adult incarcerated men and women who have served decades in prison for crimes have taken responsibility, transformed their lives, developed skills and abilities and pose little if any public safety risk to the community; and

Whereas, Incarcerated older adults serving long sentences have an opportunity to demonstrate these qualities before the New York State Board of Parole (Board of Parole); and

Whereas, In practice, the Board of Parole rarely releases an incarcerated person on their first appearance if the underlying crime was violent, even it if it took place more than 25 years prior to the board appearance and even when the incarcerated person has a low risk of reoffending; and

Whereas, Current law makes the board susceptible to political pressure to deny parole to incarcerated individuals with high profile crimes, even if they have been thoroughly rehabilitated with excellent prison records; and

Whereas, Over the course of their lengthy sentences, they have amassed admirable achievements, including mentoring younger people in and out of prison while encouraging them to realize their full potential; and

Whereas, A.514, introduced by New York State Assemblymember Maritza Davila, and companion bill S.454, introduced by New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, would amend the New York State Executive Law in relation to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated individuals aged fifty-five years or older; and

Whereas, A.514/S.454 would provide that a person fifty-five years of age or older, who as served at least 15 years of their sentence, shall have an interview with the Board of Parole to determine their release to community supervision within their 55^th birthday or the 15^th year of their sentence, whichever is later; and

                     Whereas, A514/S.454 would require the Board of Parole to report quarterly to the Governor, Legislature and public regarding the outcomes of elder parole; and

Whereas, This legislation would bring hope to incarcerated individuals who have turned around their lives and save the state hundreds of millions of dollars to reinvest in communities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.514/S.454, which would amend the New York State Executive Law in relation to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated individuals aged fifty-five years or older.

WJH

LS 21656

3/24/26