SENATOR WALCZYK DENOUNCES S856 AS A DANGEROUS MISTAKE
June 3, 2025
Senator Mark Walczyk is outraged by the Senate's decision to pass S856, a bill that fundamentally alters the State Commission of Correction. The legislation increases the number of commission members from three to nine, including a formerly incarcerated individual and a professional from any other relevant field. The New York State Commission of Correction is responsible for overseeing the state's correctional facilities and creating policies to ensure safe, humane, and effective operations within these institutions.
Senator Walczyk believes this bill prioritizes a misguided vision of reform at the expense of the vital oversight and accountability that our correctional facilities urgently require. In a period when these institutions are already facing significant challenges, permitting political agendas to take precedence over sound governance is not only counterproductive but also jeopardizes the safety and efficacy of our correctional system.
“The Governor is the architect of the crisis plaguing our correctional facilities. Instead of taking responsibility for the chaos she has created, Albany Democrats are doubling down on failed policies by consolidating their power even further. This isn’t about accountability; it’s about control—manipulating the narrative to suit their agenda,” Walczyk continued. “We are witnessing the tragic consequences of these decisions unfold before our eyes. This administration has made it abundantly clear: they are not prioritizing the safety or wellbeing of our communities, but rather advancing their own self-serving agenda at the expense of public safety.”
Furthermore, the requirement that one member be a formerly incarcerated person raises concerns about the critical perspectives needed to engage with the complex realities of our correctional system. Senator Walczyk suggests adding a correctional officer or a retired correctional officer to the board. “Who better to approach these issues with wisdom than seasoned professionals in the field? The expertise of our correctional officers and administrators cannot be diminished in favor of gimmicky representation,” Walczyk emphasized.
Senator Walczyk concluded, “We cannot stand idly by while our correctional system is hijacked for political agendas. S856 does nothing to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of our institutions; rather, it places dangerous power into the hands of those who have already shown they cannot be trusted.”
