Senators Rolison, Murray Urge Parole Board to Reject Rule Change That Would Further Endanger Public Safety

Today, Senator Rob Rolison and Senator Dean Murray, Republican members of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee sent a letter to Daryl Towns, Chairman of the NYS Board of Parole, urging the rejection of a proposed rule change that would drastically alter the way the Board considers parole in the case of violent offenders that committed crimes when they were minors, further eroding public safety in communities throughout New York State. 

Under the proposed rule, the Board would be required to place more consideration on the age and “brain development” of the offender rather than the danger the offender poses to the community, the nature of the crime committed, or the impact on the victims. The rule would apply to offenders who are serving a life sentence for a crime committed while under the age of eighteen. Life sentences are reserved for the most heinous felonies, including murder and sexual assault, making those who would qualify for this new consideration among the most violent offenders in the prison system. 

The proposed rule comes amidst reports that an increasing number of teens are the victims and perpetrators of violent crimes in the wake of New York’s Raise the Age legislation. 

“During my time as a police officer in the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, I saw firsthand the lifelong scars left on victims and families by crimes so violent and heinous that a life sentence is the only just outcome. The Parole Board’s duty is to protect the public and stand with victims—not to create a path for offenders who have already proven they are capable of unimaginable harm. Public safety must be the top priority for government, never an afterthought. This proposal tips the scales toward the offender at the expense of the community. I stand with victims, and with Senator Murray, in urging the Board to reject it outright,” said Senator Rob Rolison, Ranking Member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. 

“The number one responsibility of the NYS Parole Board should be to ensure the public's safety. This rule change flies in the face of that responsibility. I am also extremely concerned that this rule change very much mirrors changes included in legislation, (S.159) "Fair and Timely Parole", that was introduced, but did not pass, the NYS Senate earlier this year. Rather than going through the body that represents the people of New York, the state legislature, the parole board decided to bypass and ignore the legislature and adopt this controversial change, on their own, through a rule change. I fear this will have deadly consequences,” said Senator Dean Murray, Member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. 

“Now is not the time to adopt a policy which seeks to negate criminal culpability for violent offenders who have already demonstrated a willingness to endanger their communities and inflict serious harm on others. The Parole Board must instead prioritize public safety and ensure that dangerous criminals, regardless of age, are not released back into the community,” the letter reads. 

The proposed rule change is currently in the public comment period, which will expire on October 12th, 2025.  The Senators urged residents to express their opposition to this dangerous proposal during the open comment period. Public comments can be submitted by email to: rules@doccs.ny.gov.