VOLS is proud to join other organizations and community partners in supporting the NYS Legislature Bill S724A/A6710A, also known as the Proximity Bill. Read the full statement prepared by the Osborne Association below:
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PROXIMITY BILL S724A/A6710A BECOMING LAW
Bringing Children and Their Incarcerated Parents Closer Together
July 31, 2020
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Representing diverse organizations, groups, and faith-based communities providing services and advocacy throughout New York State, we ask that you sign into law Proximity bill S724A/A6710A (Senator Montgomery, Assembly member Rozic) that would require the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to place incarcerated parents in facilities close to their children. For most children, visiting reduces trauma and supports their well-being and is also associated with benefits for corrections, incarcerated individuals, and public safety. This bill was passed by large margins in both the Senate (49-11) and Assembly (136-6), and tens of thousands of children are counting on you to sign the bill into law.
An estimated 80,000 children have parents in New York state prisons. Most of these children want and need contact with their parents during the period of incarceration. Yet distance is the most frequently stated barrier to visiting among children, caregivers, and child welfare staff. A majority of New York’s prisons are in remote areas and inaccessible by public transportation. Current placement policy includes bringing an incarcerated person closer to home only as he or she nears his or her release date—a practice that runs counter to research demonstrating that maintaining or strengthening ties between incarcerated parents and their children is critical in preventing recidivism, promoting lasting reentry, and improving parent-child relationships post-release.
The proximity legislation does not involve a new budget allocation; in fact, it offers potential cost savings to DOCCS and other state agencies. This means that over time, the nominal costs incurred by DOCCS associated with transferring currently incarcerated parents would be more than offset by the financial benefits that would result from reduced recidivism rates that are associated with visiting. Additionally, DOCCS transports thousands of individuals, who often stay in local jails at the State’s cost (jails have a higher daily rate than prisons), to Family Court hearings that take place in the family’s county of origin. These are costly and preventable practices. Further, local Departments of Social Services are legally mandated to facilitate visits between many children in foster care and their parents incurring unnecessary costs when parents are placed in prisons far from a family’s county of origin. By improving children’s access to their parents, thereby mitigating trauma, potential cost savings are anticipated for state and local agencies that provide health, mental health, special education, child welfare, and juvenile justice services. The bill allows DOCCS one full year to implement so compliance will not be burdensome.
The Proximity bill originated with a young woman named April who shared with Senator Montgomery that she could not see her mom due to distance, hundreds of miles and a 10 hour drive. This was 9 years ago. April and so many children have been waiting a long time for this bill to become law. Signing this bill into law promotes efficient, sound and cost-effective re entry and public safety policy while also supporting the well-being of April and tens of thousands of other children whose parents are in NY State prisons. Visiting is a lifeline for children and families and we call on you to show your support and sign bill S724A/A6710A immediately.
Thank you for your consideration.