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Nonprofit providers of Alternatives to Incarceration and Reentry services were joined by Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and Richard Aborn, President of the Citizens Crime Commission, on the steps of City Hall yesterday in a call to increase funding for these critical and highly cost effective programs. Also on hand to offer their support were Council Members Elizabeth Crowly, Daniel Dromm and Peter Valone Jr., as well as representatives of the Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island District Attorney’s Offices.
Members of the new York Alternatives to Incarceration-Reentry Coalition spelled out the devastating impacts which budget cuts are having on these important services. The Coalition organizations have closed at least 25 programs and downsized 34 more, including:
- The Fortune Society closed its discharge planning and reentry program serving detainees leaving Rikers Island.
- CASES eliminated its drug treatment education and referral program serving 4,000 Brooklyn misdemeanor defendants.
- Education & Assistance Corporation/TASC will close its Staten Island program at the end of June, leaving the borough without ATI services.
- The Osborne Association eliminated its El Rio substance abuse treatment services for Bronx misdemeanor defendants.
- The Women’s Prison Association closed Hopper Home, a transitional residential program for women used as an alternative-to-incarceration for 30 women a year and the East New York/Brownsville case management, life skills and employment readiness program serving almost 150 women a year.
Research has shown that ATI programs have had a profound effect on public safety and costs. A report by the Vera Institute of Justice titled “Balancing Punishment and Treatment”, shows that less than 20 percent of program graduates have a new criminal conviction within two years compared to the alarmingly high rate of recidivism for those not in ATI programs. ATI/reentry programs also help the City and State save more than $100 million each year.
“At The Fortune Society, we know that ATI programs change people’s lives and keep our communities safer. These services give formerly incarcerated individuals the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives, overcome addictions, find employment and housing, and manage their finances. All of these tools give our clients a chance at a fresh start as contributing members of the community,” said Glenn Martin, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs of The Fortune Society.
“Alternative to prison programs are proven to reduce crime and recidivism,” said DA Hynes. “You cannot prison build your way to public safety.”
“ATI services are a vital part of our criminal justice system,” said Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City. “They prevent crime and reduce the cycle of violence, making New York the safest large city in America. It makes zero sense to cut programs responsible for the decline in crime. Public safety is not the place to trim the fat from the budget.”
“Incarcerating someone in city jail costs up to 10 times as much as treating them for drug addiction or mental illness – and the cost of that treatment is borne by that individual, Medicaid or private medical insurance,” said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. in a message of support. “New Yorkers simply cannot afford to lose some of these crucial programs.”
Members of the coalition include the Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services (CASES); Center for Community Alternatives (CCA); Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO); Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC) NYC TASC & Mental Health Programs; The Fortune Society; The Legal Action Center (LAC); Osborne Association; and Women’s Prison Association (WPA).
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