QUESTION
What are the impacts of reducing alternatives to incarceration programs on decarceration plans such as the closed Rikers plan?
4:41:54
·
85 sec
Council Member Althea Stevens and Comptroller Brad Lander discuss the negative impacts of cutting alternative to incarceration programs on decarceration efforts including the closed Rikers plan.
- Council Member Althea Stevens expresses concern over the decline in referrals to alternative to incarceration programs and its connection to decarceration plans.
- Comptroller Brad Lander agrees, highlighting the inconsistency of cutting these programs with the goals of reducing recidivism and saving city funds.
- Lander emphasizes that alternative to incarceration programs have proven to lower recidivism rates and are essential for responsible decarceration.
- The discussion underscores the potential for an increase in the census at facilities like Rikers if such programs are discontinued.
Althea Stevens
4:41:54
Just a couple of things that I think one of them was already, like, highlighted around even when when we're talking about identifying some concerning costs with the alternative 10 cross solution plan.
4:42:04
I've definitely been talking to providers, and it's been talking about they've been, you know, just expressing their concern how there has been a lack of recommendation of referrals and all those things are are kinda down and and also just kinda connecting it to the closed rackazama plan, whereas that was also a decarceration plan.
4:42:22
Right?
4:42:22
And I think sometimes we get we forget to mention that piece.
4:42:25
And so if we're cutting things like alternatives and conservation programs, the census and records going to continue to rise and increase.
4:42:32
So I do think that it's we have to start thinking about this in more circular because I feel like we often talk about it in pieces.
4:42:39
I just wanted to get your take on that perspective as well just really quickly.
4:42:43
And then I have another question.
Brad Lander
4:42:44
I completely agree.
4:42:46
I mean, I think these things go together as you say if we're you know, you'll hear the administration say we're working hard on, you know, achieving those goals.
4:42:56
But then how could you be cutting the ATI programs that are the essential way that you could responsibly have people who are not at Rykers, who are in a program with proven says recidivism rates as a result of ATI programs are significantly lower.
4:43:12
They save the city money overall, and there is essential to achieving the close riders goals, but they're cut in this budget.