BILL NUMBER:S7293               REVISED 05/08/12

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to retaining
peace officer status for parole officers

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Relates to retaining peace officer status for parole officers in
prison facilities.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends Subdivision 23 of section 2.10 of the criminal
procedure law by adding the following:
and offender rehabilitation coordinators whose job functions include
the following: assigned to one more of the state's correctional
facilities;
provide guidance to an assigned caseload of inmates and assess needs,
prepare evaluations, and prepare eligible inmates for release into
the community;
make recommendations to the board of parole regarding inmate's
readiness for release; perform both social work and law enforcement
functions; trained in use of firearms, handle and discharge firearms.

JUSTIFICATION:
Recently, the State Department of Civil Service approved a new policy
              

that changed the title of prison facility parole officers to offender
rehabilitation coordinators and removed their status as peace officers.
Between 13 and 14 percent of all parole officers were affected by this
combination.

Incidents such as the Attica riot of 1971, when the DOCS controlled
parole functions, have proved that inmates need to see a clear line
between those who house them and those who decide when they should be
released.

This legislation would restore the status under current law, which
already grants to parole officers or warrant officers in the
department of corrections and community supervision, to offender
rehabilitation coordinators whose job functions include the
following: assigned to one or more of the state's correctional
facilities; provide guidance to an assigned caseload of inmates and
assess needs, prepare evaluations, and prepare eligible inmates for
release into the community; make recommendations to the board of
parole regarding inmate's readiness for release;
perform both social work and law enforcement functions; trained in use
of firearms, handle and discharge firearms.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect immediately.