Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Brianna Seid, Counsel in the Justice Program at Brennan Center for Justice, on Reentry Assistance Bill
3:41:06
·
127 sec
Brianna Seid from the Brennan Center for Justice testified in support of Resolution 371, urging Albany lawmakers to pass the Reentry Assistance Bill. She emphasized the importance of providing financial support to individuals returning from incarceration to help with reentry challenges and reduce recidivism.
- The current "gate money" for released individuals is inadequate to meet their needs.
- Formerly incarcerated Americans lose about half of their earning potential, amounting to over $55 billion in lost earnings annually.
- The Reentry Assistance Bill would cost about 1/40th of the annual cost to incarcerate one person in New York State facilities.
Brianna Seid
3:41:06
Good afternoon chair nurse and members of the committee.
3:41:09
My name is Brianna Syde.
3:41:10
I'm a counsel in the justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice.
3:41:13
The Brennan Center is a law and public policy organization, and the Justice Program produces reports and analyses based on research and data, advocating for policy solutions to reduce the size and scope of mass incarceration and its related harms.
3:41:29
We are asking the New York City Council to pass Resolution three seventy one urging lawmakers in Albany and the governor to sign the Reentry Assistance Bill.
3:41:37
This is a bill backed by research and data.
3:41:40
Fifty years ago researchers concluded that New York's gate money was inadequate to meet the needs of New Yorkers returning to their community and today it is woefully inefficient.
3:41:49
New Yorkers returning to their community after being incarcerated face a difficult and arduous task, typically returning home without savings or other financial resources.
3:41:57
The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction also prevent people from accessing essential resources that help with reentry.
3:42:04
Folks not only struggle to secure employment, housing and access to education, but also basic necessities like clothing and personal hygiene products, essentials when you're trying to secure a job.
3:42:13
We live in a country that perpetually punishes people after they've returned from incarceration.
3:42:19
Research by the Brennan Center has found that formerly incarcerated Americans will lose around half of their earning potential, amounting to over 55,000,000,000 with a B in lost earnings annually with persistent racial disparities.
3:42:32
By directly alleviating the income scarcity that all too often creates a no win situation for returning New Yorkers, this bill can help avoid the risk of reincarceration which is costly for all New Yorkers.
3:42:43
The reentry assistance bill would address the struggles faced by people returning from prison head on.
3:42:48
New York State spends $115,000 to incarcerate one person in their state facilities each year.
3:42:56
For one fortieth of the cost, York State can invest in folks returning to their communities.
3:43:02
I want to thank council member Hudson for authoring this resolution which makes clear to Albany that New York City wants to prioritize a criminal legal system that improves outcomes and makes communities safer.
3:43:12
Thank you.