NYS Coalition for Rehabilitation and Reentry

Most religious, ethical-culture and social developments call for restorative justice, but only if there is convincing correction and rehabilitation. In this light, we offer a five-area platform (with twelve planks) for increased restorative practice in our NYS criminal justice system.

A primary goal of the entire restorative platform is the provision of tools and infrastructure that increase chances for the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated persons back into society, with their employability at decent work for a decent living

A. EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL;

• 1. Expanded Pre-Trial Services; quality initial assessment and identification of risks and needs of the accused;
      possible treatment or resolution of the latter; available for all indigent offenders.

• 2. Fair Representation
      a) Independent Public Defense Commission; restructure indigent defense services to insure wise defense and plans.
      b) Fair Legislative Representation; insure that the NYS districts reflect the home locations of incarcerated persons.

B. KNOWLEDGE for employability; decent work yielding economic self-sufficiency

•  3. Job Oriented Education: expanded vocational training, job-oriented post-secondary education, pre-release job preparation, and pre-release job placement assistance.
   

C. Health in body, mind, and spirit; TRANSFORMATION, the underpinnings of recovery.

•  .4. NYS drug laws: repeal/reform, for judicial discretion in the recognition and possible treatment of addictions.

•  5. Treatment / Transformative Programs: addressing addictions, attitudes, reasoning, and victim awareness.

•  6. Improved prison health services.
   

D. Rehabilitation Incentives  to encourage and motivate a sometimes nearly-impossible recovery.

·        7. Merit time for most incarcerated persons; conditioned upon completion of a rehabilitation plan for a reentry process that begins at the time of conviction, and a demonstration of evident rehabilitation.
 

E. Transitional Services; community help along the road to a productive life.

·        8. Work release for most incarcerated persons.

·        9. Fair parole policies and practice: recognizing rehabilitation progress; modern risk assessment technology.

·        10. Transitional reentry-support,  in partnership with communities; mentoring; step-down facilities.

·        11. Family support;  policies and practice.        

·        12. The LifeLine program; using formerly incarcerated lifers to aid those incarcerated.

The ultimate objectives of this strategy are fourfold:
                more  productive and satisfying lives,
                less future crime, 
                less future taxpayer expense, and
                a more productive society.

Click the highlighted word, above, to see a descriptions of the issue, coalition position, and rationale for any of the 12 planks in this restorative platform. 

Sample letters (or emails) in support of each plank are available.