Senator Kevin Parker’s Statement on Governor Cuomo’s Prison Re-Entry Proposal and Initiatives for Marginalized Communities

Brooklyn, NY (1/11/2016) – Democratic Senator Kevin Parker released the following statement today re: Governor Cuomo’s Prison Re-Entry Proposal:

“Statistics show that the number of incarcerated men of color have tripled over the years compared to their counterparts.  I believe the only way we can curtail those statistics and prevent our young people from entering and re-entering the prison system is to attack the issue from the root of the problem.  

“Therefore, I applaud Governor Cuomo for his effort in putting forth such a forward-thinking program that not only addresses the obstacles formerly incarcerated people face upon re-entering society, but will allow inmates access to education while in prison.  

"The support initiatives like the community schools and the urban youth jobs program that the Governor highlighted shows that New York State is finally going to take a holistic approach to improving the lives of its most vulnerable residents.

“My Beacon Schools bill that I have in the Senate seeks to create a similar, positive dynamic in our public schools that the Governor seeks to achieve with his Community Schools program.” 

"I have every intention to work with the Governor and my colleagues in Albany to advance legislation that creates stronger schools to support our communities, fairer outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals, and safer streets for all New Yorkers. 

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About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker, a lifelong Brooklyn resident, is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 residents in the Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope sections of Brooklyn. He is the Ranking Democratic Member of the Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications, and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He serves on the Senate Committees on Banks, Higher Education, Rules, Insurance, Finance, and Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Senator Parker is the Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs for the Senate Democratic Conference, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans. 

For more information on Senator Parker, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker