Res. No. 262
Resolution calling upon the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives to distribute State Probation funding equitably, especially recognizing the disproportionate share of adult felons and juvenile delinquents supervised by the New York City Department of Probation who would otherwise be confined in State custody.
By Council Members Clarke, Barron, Foster, Gerson, James, Koppell, Lopez, Martinez, Palma, Sanders, Vann, Jackson, Avella, Comrie and Gonzalez
Whereas, The New York City Department of Probation is an essential component of the New York State criminal justice system, providing invaluable services to the courts of New York State and substantially reducing the number of convicted felons and juvenile delinquents committed to the State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS); and
Whereas, Forty percent of all probationers in New York State are on probation in New York City; and
Whereas, Fifty-four percent of all felons, who would otherwise be in State prison, are on probation in New York City; and
Whereas, The State would otherwise be spending approximately $32,400 annually to house each felon; and
Whereas, If the 711 juvenile probationers supervised in the City's Juvenile Intensive Supervision Program last year were instead placed with OCFS, the cost to the State would have been $75,000 per probationer or $53,325,000; and
Whereas, Of all the State mandated pre-sentence reports delivered to DOCS, approximately 55% are prepared by New York City; and
Whereas, Nonetheless New York City receives only 26% of available State funding for probation, or $18.45 million annually; and
Whereas, New York City only receives $468 on average per probationer versus the rest of the State which receives an average of $647 per probationer, despite the City's more difficult felony-skewed caseload; and
Whereas, Nearly 50% of New York State counties have a higher reimbursement rate per probationer than New York City; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of Probation bears a disproportionate share of the State's probation burden, affording more relief in real dollar terms to the State of New York than does any other county, yet the State chronically underfunds the Department; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York call upon the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives to distribute State Probation funding equitably, especially recognizing the disproportionate share of adult felons and juvenile delinquents supervised by the New York City Department of Probation who would otherwise be confined in State custody.
LS# 621
RBU
03/29/2004