THE FORTUNE SOCIETY STATEMENT ON THE STATE BUDGET

The Fortune Society released the following statement about the near-done New York State budget deal:

“Rolling back critical reforms made to our bail laws, which were enacted to ensure that justice did not depend on ability to pay, simply will not make us safer. To the contrary, pre-trial detention for any amount of time has been proven to increase someone’s likelihood of continued criminal legal system involvement. These new measures criminalize poverty and will sweep countless people charged with non-violent, low level misdemeanors into jail. Rolling back bail reform will also exacerbate existing racial disparities in our criminal legal system. The long term impact on Black and Brown communities will continue to carry generational consequences.

With over 54 years of experience supporting people returning from jail and prison, and providing meaningful alternatives to incarceration, the Fortune Society knows what strengthens individuals and communities: ensuring people have access to safe and stable housing, mental health and behavioral health services, and connections to employment and education. We therefore appreciate that the Governor and the legislature reached agreement on reducing barriers to obtaining government-issued identification and eliminating fees for parole supervision. These are both good steps towards promoting the successful reentry of people returning from incarceration. Passing the legislature’s current version of the Clean Slate Act would provide more people with the ability to access housing, employment and move forward with their lives without bearing the lifelong stigma of a past conviction. We look forward to partnering with our elected officials on meaningful, proven solutions. And we will continue to stand with our partners in calling for a more fair and humane criminal legal system.”