Res 0365-2024

Whereas, Earned Eligibility is built on the idea that incarcerated individuals engaging in designated programs are more likely to reintegrate successfully into their families and communities after release; and Whereas, The system encourages participation in rehabilitation programs by offering tangible benefits in the form of potential early release, reflecting a belief in the power of rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety; and Whereas, Limited Credit Time Allowance ("LCTA") was established in 2009 as a six-month benefit against their sentence for incarcerated individuals who do not qualify for traditional Merit Time for certain non-violent crimes, intended to incentivize participation in rehabilitation and educational programs; and Whereas, According to the RAND Corporation, in the largest ever meta-analysis of correctional educational studies, participating in correctional education programs reduces inmates' chances of returning to prison by 43%, translating to a 13% decrease in the risk of recidivism and improves post-release employment opportunities by 13%, in addition to being a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism rates; and Whereas, Eligibility for the LCTA program plan requires completing one of twelve designated program criteria, which includes two individual components of two years of successful college programming or a master's degree issued at Sing Sing Correctional Facility; and Whereas, Under Correction Law �803-b(1)(c)(ii), earning an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree is considered a significant programmatic accomplishment for LCTA eligibility, however, additional degrees beyond the first do not result in further time allowances under the current statute; and Whereas, The law should be amended to promote greater engagement in college education by introducing additional rewards for consecutive achievements; and Whereas S7843/A4888 sponsored by New York State Senator Julia Salazar and New York State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, respectively, amends Correction Law �803-b to provide that an incarcerated individual eligible for a limited time credit allowance, upon obtaining an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, becomes eligible for release 12 months prior to completing the mandated minimum period of imprisonment; and Whereas, The City Council believes that supporting initiatives that promote education and facilitate successful reentry into society contributes to public safety and community well-being; 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 S7843/A4888, in relation to conditional release for eligible offenders who complete post-secondary degrees or programs. CMB LS#16642 4/12/24