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Council Member Yusef Salaam introduces three proposed resolutions on criminal justice reform
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4 min
Council Member Yusef Salaam, chair of the committee on public safety, introduces three proposed resolutions aimed at reforming aspects of the criminal justice system. He provides an overview of each resolution, explaining their purposes and potential impacts on parole board composition, jury duty eligibility for former felons, and reimbursement of fines for wrongfully convicted individuals.
- Resolution 414-A calls for including at least one formerly incarcerated person on the state board of parole.
- Resolution 415-A aims to remove the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons.
- Resolution 417-A seeks to ensure timely reimbursement of fines and fees for individuals who were wrongfully convicted.
Yusef Salaam
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Good morning.
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I'm council member Youssef Salaam, chair to the committee on public safety.
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Today, the committee will be voting on proposition proposed resolutions four one four a sponsored by council member Sandy Nurse, proposed resolution four one four one five a sponsored by public advocate Jumaane Williams, proposed resolution four one seven a sponsored by council member Kevin Riley.
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Proposed resolution four one four a calls on the New York state legislature to pass and the governor to sign s three seven four six requiring at least one member of the state board of parole to be a formerly incarcerated person.
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The state board of parole plays a crucial role in determining whether eligible incarcerated individuals are released from prison due to their successful rehabilitation while incarcerated and readiness to rejoin society.
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However, the board has faced criticism for denying a significant percentage of parole applications raising concerns about fairness and about the lack of diversity, I'm sorry, and about the lack of diverse perspectives in decision making.
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This resolution calls for the passage of s three seven four six which would amend the state law to require that at least one member of the board of parole be a formerly incarcerated person.
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A proposal that aims to promote fairness, empathy, and a more just parole process.
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Proposed resolution four one five a calls on the New York state legislature to pass and the governor to sign s two two four zero a five four one four which would remove the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons.
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Under the current New York State law individuals convicted of a felony are permitted or permanently disqualified from serving on a jury regardless of the nature of their offense or the time that has passed since their conviction.
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This policy disproportionately impact impacts black people in particular and brown people in general who have had felony convictions at significantly higher rates than white individuals and can result in juries that do not accurately reflect the community from which they serve.
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By eliminating this lifetime ban on jury service for individuals convicted of felonies, the legislation seeks to expand civic participation for formerly incarcerated individuals and ensure more diverse and representative jury pools in New York courts.
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And finally, proposed resolution four one seven a sponsored by council member Riley calls on the New York State legislature to pass and the governor to sign A4246 in relation to the return of fines, restitution and reparation payments where there was an unjust conviction in a timely manner.
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Individuals convicted of crimes are often required to pay substantial fines restitution and other monetary fees as a condition of their convictions.
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Currently, New York State law lacks provisions to facilitate the prompt reimbursement of these financial penalties for individuals who are wrongfully convicted.
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This delay in repayment of penalties can exacerbate the financial hardship experienced by individuals after they're released due to a wrongful conviction.
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This resolution seeks to support a state bill that will require the exonerated individuals receive a refund of all court fees and fines within ninety days of the overturning of their conviction.
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I urge my colleagues to support these resolutions which aim to promote fairness, accountability.
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I aim I'm sorry.
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I urge my colleagues to support these resolutions which aim to promote fairness and accountability in our state's criminal justice system.