New York State Division of Parole's Release of Persons Convicted of Violent Crimes

Click on the link below to download the report written by Marlon and Huwe Burton in February 2008. Click on the file entitled "The Spitzer report"

http://pensfromthepen.fileave.com/

Executive Summary

*"Spitzer lets 215 killers loose." "Scum, Walk This Way--215 killers freed in Spitzer's first year as gov." "Prison break of NY." "How 3 killers talked way out--A look at cold-blooded murderers who were among parade of thugs freed in Spitzer's 1st year." "Senate GOP Claims Spitzer Parole Stance Promotes 'Jailbreak'."


These recent headlines alarmingly describe the concern over the New York State Division of Parole's increased release of persons convicted of A-1 violent crimes, particularly violent A-1 felonies. Justifiably so, since an A-1 felony is the most serious offense for which anyone can be convicted-- crimes ranging from kidnapping and arson to murder. Anytime an individual who was convicted of a serious violent crime is about to be released from prison the community-at-large should be concerned and questions should be asked.

But do communities (i.e., the home communities) to which most of the incarcerated population are returning know what questions to ask? Do they know whom to ask? Are the concerns vented in recent media representative of the interests of the home communities? What is parole? What is its purpose and how does it function? What is the home community's role in the parole/release process? Why are "killers" being let loose?

This year is an important election year not only because of the presidential election, but because the New York State Senate could experience a significant power shift. If Senate Republicans lose just two seats in November the balance of powers will tilt to the Democrats who already have a Democratic governor as their chief executive. With so much at stake it is important that the informed citizen meticulously investigates any media headlines that appear to push a political agenda.

The author of this report and his colleagues recognized the slew of media attention given to the subject of parole and its release of violence felons and questioned the intentions of the articles. The resulting answers revealed that the motivations of the people fueling the media attention actually cared very little about the release of persons convicted of violence felonies as safety issue. Money, job security, and political representation in the New York State legislature proved to be the true locus of their concern.

* This report is written in response to articles published in the New York Daily News, New York Times, and the New York Law Journal. These articles are included as exhibits.