New York State Parole officials are preparing for the implementation of the "Less is More" Act, the Parole Reform Bill signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on September 17, 2021. "Less is More" will take effect March 1, 2022. 

With that being said, there is an abundance of uncertainty and despair. For starters, it is going to be very difficult for parole officers to get a handle on the parolees that they supervise. It will also bolster due process in parole hearings, require parole hearings to take place within a specified time, and provide earned time credit for parolees.

On October 7, 2021, PEF rallied to denounce the “Less is More” parole reform law and call out the serious repercussions for community safety, parole supervision and crime victims. In the same month on October 25, 2021, PEF invited Governor Hochul to address delegates at the PEF Convention. Then, on November 22, 2021, PEF rallied outside the Hall of Justice in Rochester to denounce the “Less is More” parole reform law again.

A few months later on January 5, 2022, PEF issued a statement in response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address applauding her for pledging to invest $10 billion in higher wages, better hospital conditions, and a more robust pipeline of health care workers. Since then, PEF has not been as vocal about “Less is More.”

The truth is, PEF has never really fought for Parole Officers. Since the majority of the approximately 50,000 PEF members are civilians, their needs will always be prioritized over the needs of the approximately 800 Parole Officer members who are not civilians.

PEF’s main concern is the collection of our union dues. Fortunately, we now have the power to stop paying PEF dues by opting out. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court gave New York public employees the right to choose whether to pay union dues. Over the years, PEF has collected millions of dollars in union dues, but could not invest in radio or television ads to educate the public about the dangers of “Less is More.”

Now more than ever, it’s time for Parole Officers to leave PEF and join New York’s independent law enforcement union, NYSCOPBA. You can make this a reality by exercising your First Amendment rights and opt out below:
 
https://newchoiceny.com/opt-out-today/

In solidarity,
 
New York State Parole Officers