Senator Fuschillo: Governor Must Follow Through With Pledge To Fight Prison Release Of Violent Criminals, Should Reverse His Policy Of Letting More Violent Felons Out Of Jail

State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. today urged the Spitzer administration to follow through with its pledge to fight a lawsuit that would expedite the prison release of some of New York State’s most violent criminals, including murderers, rapists and cop killers. Senator Fuschillo also warned that the Spitzer administration has already released an alarming number of these violent felons from prison this year, which could jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers.

Senator Fuschillo (R-Merrick) said, "While I am encouraged by the news that Governor Spitzer has pledged to fight the lawsuit that seeks to speed up the prison release of some of the state’s most vicious criminals, I am still greatly concerned about the increased number of violent felons who have already been released from jail in the first 10 months of the Spitzer administration. This alarming shift in state policy from the previous administration threatens to undermine the safety of New Yorkers."

The Spitzer administration recently announced that it will fight a lawsuit brought by 1,000 A-1 violent felons, considered "the worst of the worst," who are seeking to alter the governance of parole hearings in our state to give themselves’ the opportunity for early parole.

Recent statistics show that the parole rate for A-1 violent felons has risen from 6 percent under the Pataki administration to 23 percent under the Spitzer administration. The New York Daily News reported this week that among those released from prison already this year are a man who killed three people in Buffalo with a hammer and a handgun, and a Westchester resident who murdered his father with a shotgun.

Senator Fuschillo also urged Governor Spitzer to focus more attention on this very important public safety issue. Recently, the Governor was quoted as saying he would rather not comment on the issue of the growing number of violent felons winning parole, because, he stated, "I haven’t looked at it enough."

Senator Fuschillo, said, "It’s time for the Governor to start focusing on issues that are important to New Yorkers, including the public safety of our citizens."

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