Vera Institute of Justice Responds to NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Speech

On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered the State of the State, where she outlined her administration’s priorities for 2022.

The Vera Institute of Justice issued the following statement in response:

“Governor Hochul has outlined a vision and a commitment to protect people in New York State’s criminal legal and immigration systems. Still, there are concrete legislative, policy, and budgetary steps she can take this year to transform these systems until they are fair for all.

With the ongoing humanitarian crisis at Rikers Island and the COVID-19 pandemic that’s particularly dangerous for incarcerated people, the most important action Governor Hochul can take is facilitating the safe release of people from New York jails and prisons. That requires staying the course on bail reform. New York’s bail reform measures brought jail numbers down by more than a third in a matter of months. The governor can also continue to reshape the New York State parole process by improving transparency about the parole commissioner and parole board staffing, prioritizing commissioners and parole board members with expertise beyond law enforcement, and enacting legislative reforms that expand opportunities for the release of incarcerated New Yorkers.

Governor Hochul can also implement steps to keep people out of jail in the first place. State and local budgets disproportionately fund law enforcement and incarceration over other public services communities need—investments in housing, education, and public health. Investments in community-based, non-punitive approaches to public safety have proven effective and don’t incur the social and fiscal costs of incarceration.

For almost two years, immigrant New Yorkers have been performing essential work during the pandemic. Despite putting their own lives and families at risk, they continue to face detention and deportation by federal immigration authorities.

By passing the Access to Representation Act, New York For All Act, and Dignity Not Detention Act, New York can solidify its commitment to stand with immigrant New Yorkers. These three bills would end the criminal-to-immigration pipeline, prevent law enforcement from funneling people into ICE custody, and provide necessary legal representation.

The Access to Representation Act would establish a right to a public defender for people at risk of deportation. Coupled with increased funding for immigration services to $24.4 million, New York could strengthen the stability and health of every community. The New York For All Act would stop local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, and the Dignity Not Detention Act would get New York out of the immigration detention business, ending the inhumane and unnecessary incarceration of immigrants in New York jails. Confronting the unjust criminalization of immigrants head on and increasing funding for immigration services would protect the safety, health, and freedom of every New Yorker.

We urge Governor Hochul to support these policies and reforms and Vera is ready to work with her.”