NEWBURGH – Lawmakers joined former prisoners, crime survivors and families of the incarcerated in the City of Newburgh on Monday to fight for parole justice.
The protest on Broadway was one of seven rallies held in every corner of New York State at the same exact time.
Leaders from the organization known as RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison) organized the event to draw support for two bills before the state legislature.
The Elder Parole Bill would allow prisoners over 55, who have served at least 15 years, to be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis. The Fair and Timely Parole bill would allow prisoners to be considered for release based on their readiness and the ways in which they have changed while incarcerated.
Hudson Valley RAPP leader Alton Lee, a veteran who served 24 years in prison, says they are close to achieving justice for these individuals and yet, they are so far.
“While I was in prison I obtained my college degree. I created a program. I facilitated every program they had, but they still told me I was unfit for society,” said Lee. “I would like to see some of those same parole commissioners right now as I stand here with local lawmakers, encouraging people to get involved.”
Orange County Legislator-elect for District 6, Gabrielle Hill, says elderly people in prison should get a fair shot at parole and can serve as role models for our young people.
“It’s time to create pathways for people to come home,” said Hill. “There are opportunities for mentorships for young men in the community. There are opportunities for us to come together to listen and learn from their experience and maybe help others choose a different path for their life. I am in one hundred percent for what this cause can do for our community.”
Newburgh City Councilman Omari Shakur, who spent years in prison himself, says there is a special role for older and wiser prisoners who have done their time and improved themselves while incarcerated.
“When we come home, our job is to stay home and make sure our young men don’t go to prison. That’s our job,” said Shakur. “Before prison, we should be thinking about sending our kids to college, since most of the money in our community goes to lawyers, bail and funerals. I understand what our young men need.”
Rally organizers are asking residents to write and call their legislators to vote for these two bills. They say that enacting both bills would save the state over $500 million each year.
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