Downstate progressive Democrats in the state Senate and Assembly will fight for decarceration of New York prisons and immigration reform next year, they said Tuesday, citing the partyâs new Senate supermajority as the momentum lawmakers need to move their agenda forward.
Nearly 20 progressive legislators threw support Tuesday behind a proposed legislation package they dubbed the Justice Roadmap 2021 agenda to protect communities of color and immigrants from unjust imprisonment and deportation, calling for less violence in community policing.
The proposed state reforms include passing legislation for parole reform to end solitary confinement in state prisons through the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S.1623/A.2500); ensure Fair and Timely Parole (S.497/A.4346); and Elder Parole (S.2144/A.9040) to require incarcerated New Yorkers over age 55 who have served 15 or more consecutive years be considered for parole regardless of their crime or sentence.