Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joseph Soto, Community Engagement Specialist of Fortune Society's Behavioral Health Unit
3:38:31
·
154 sec
Joseph Soto, a Community Engagement Specialist at Fortune Society with lived experience of incarceration, testified in support of Resolution 371 urging passage of the reentry assistance bill. He emphasized the importance of providing basic financial resources to individuals returning from prison to help them stabilize and reduce recidivism.
- Soto highlighted the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals, such as lack of metro cards and working phones, which can jeopardize their release conditions and well-being.
- He argued that modest investments in reentry support can significantly reduce incarceration rates and prevent homelessness.
- Soto stressed that the bill is not just about money, but about dignity and giving returning citizens a real chance at successful reintegration.
Joseph Soto
3:38:31
Good afternoon, chair, nurse, and members of the committee on criminal justice.
3:38:35
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of resolution three seventy one, urging passage of the reentry assistance bill.
3:38:43
My name is Joseph So to.
3:38:45
I'm currently serving as a community engagement specialist for the Fortune Society Behavioral Health Unit.
3:38:52
I also bring my lived experiences of having spent twenty five years incarcerated and returning home in 02/2019.
3:39:00
When I came home, I had no access to the kind of support this bill would provide.
3:39:06
The purpose of the legislation is so simple and urgent, to provide people returning home from prison with the basic financial resources necessary to survive and to start or stabilize to start and stabilize themselves.
3:39:19
The importance of this bill becomes clearer when we consider what is required for someone coming home today.
3:39:27
Without without metro cards, without a working phone, people can't miss critical appointments, jeopardize their release conditions and their well-being.
3:39:39
Modest investment in reentry support such as this proposal stipend can significantly reduce incarceration rates and help prevent homelessness.
3:39:50
The consequences of inadequate reentry support falls hardest on our communities.
3:39:56
For people like me, the bill would have made a made a difference between desperation and direction.
3:40:06
This is not just about money.
3:40:07
It's about dignity.
3:40:10
We cannot say we care about public safety and then send people home without adequate support.
3:40:18
We cannot say we care about public said that already.
3:40:23
I am proud of where I am today, but I also know that my story could not have ended differently.
3:40:30
Passage of Resolutions three seventy one will send a powerful message to New York City, stands behind its returning citizens.
3:40:39
New York coming home need more than 200 and a bus ticket.
3:40:45
They need they deserve to return and with a real chance.
3:40:50
We urge the council to adopt this resolution and join the many advocates, service providers, and direct impact individuals who become thank you for your time.
3:41:03
My eyes are playing tricks on me.