This legislation, known as “Less is More,” would amend the Executive Law and the Penal Law to remove the ability of parole officers to sanction parolees who violate any of the terms and conditions of their parole. This legislation removes all meaningful consequences for bad actors, ties the hands of parole officers and makes it much harder for them to help parolees transition successfully back into society.
Unfortunately, in a Queens Daily Eagle article dated January 31, 2020, PEF President Wayne Spence "acknowledged that some parole violations are “based on CYA” — a “cover your ass” mentality — that compels parole officers to “err on the side of caution and say, ‘Let’s protect our community and take them back into custody.’” But he said parole officers are typically willing to provide alternatives to incarceration for parolees who commit technical violations."
He also said some reform is needed, but he suggested a more gradual approach. “You need a scalpel to do something like this, but they’re coming at it with a machete.”
This is exactly why representation from a law enforcement union like the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) would be in the best interest of Parole Officers.
Please email this update to Wayne Spence at WSpence@pef.org and let him know that WE STRONGLY OPPOSE ANY REFORM TO PAROLE!
In Solidarity,
New York State Parole Officers