Statement From State Senator Gustavo Rivera On Bill That Would Provide Translation Services For Incarcerated Individuals Appearing Before The Parole Board

(Albany, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement today after bill S992 passed the New York State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. This bill, which is sponsored by Senator Rivera in the Senate and Assemblymember Luis Sepulveda in the Assembly, will seek to ensure due process for incarcerated individuals whose first language is not English and who are hearing impaired by providing a certified translator at parole board interviews. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

"I am proud that my colleagues in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee have joined me in pushing this bill towards the next step of the legislative process. The implementation of such measure will grant incarcerated individuals the opportunity to be addressed in their own language, allowing them to fully understand their parole board proceedings. With almost 35 percent of the incarcerated population in New York State being either of Hispanic origin or foreign born, our State has responsibility in ensuring that our criminal justice system is well equipped to deliver justice equitably and fairly to all New Yorkers, regardless of their native language. I now urge my colleagues at the Senate Finance Committee to review and bring this bill to a vote. I will continue working with my colleagues in the Assembly and the Senate to ensure that this measure passes through both houses."