Senator Parker’s Transitional Services Info for Inmates Bill Passed

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER (D-Brooklyn)

Contact: Kassandra Mayhew | mayhew@nysenate.gov | 718-629-6401 | 718-629-6420 fax

For Immediate Release March 3, 2015

Senator Parker’s Transitional Services Info for Inmates Bill Passed

Brooklyn, NY – On Monday New York State Senator Kevin Parker's S1315 bill, which requires correctional facilities to provide up to date and comprehensive transitional services information to inmates prior to release, passed overwelmingly. The bill requires annually updated information offered to inmates to include: medical, mental health, substance abuse, housing, and HIV/AIDS services; as well as educational, vocational, and employment services.

The seven term Brooklyn Senator stated: "The passing of my S1315 bill marks a step toward creating a better correctional system. Our current system perpetuates a troubling cycle that keeps ex-prisoners separated from their communities -- a design that tears down our society and individuals. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and correctional facilities have often failed to properly incorporate corresponding programs and services for inmates. Requiring correctional facilities to help inmates transition back into their communities through sharing vital transitional information will provide the tools they need to reenter society -- this will in turn help to shrink the large prison population."

The bill can be read here: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S1315-2015; and is an amendment to chapter 506 of the laws of 2014.

About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope. He is the Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs, Ranking Member of the Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications Committee and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.

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