Brookdale’s director of strategic policy initiatives, christian gonzález-rivera, testified before the New York City Council Committees on Aging and Criminal Justice on February 17. He spoke in support of Resolution 241, in which the NYC Council calls on the New York State Legislature to pass two critical pieces of legislation, Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole. These two pieces of legislation would create a fairer and more humane path to parole for the hundreds of older people who are serving long sentences.
The NYC Council cited Brookdale’s Elder Parole Is an Aging Issue factsheet multiple times in its committee report.
In his testimony, christian points out that keeping people in prison after they have already served long sentences rapidly closes the window of opportunity for individuals to go back to their communities and rebuild their lives. In his oral testimony he added that the city should elect to strengthen community supports so that they can embrace people who are returning from prison. A community-based services network that is strong enough to meet the many needs of older people returning from prison after long sentences is strong enough to help anyone.
At this hearing, christian testified alongside several formerly incarcerated older adults and representatives of some of the biggest service providers in the city who are working to help people returning from prison.
A recording of the hearing is available here.
