Budget would release offenders sooner,
cut corrections, parole staff
Under the proposed budget, the state Department of
Correctional Services would lose 493 positions, including
72 in program services. Health services would lose 31
positions.
All reductions of PEF-represented positions will be
achieved by attrition or the current early retirement
incentive.
The budget assumes the inmate population will drop by
more than 1,600 in the coming fiscal year through
legislation to allow early release through expansion of
the Merit Time Program and Earned Eligibility Program.
The legislation aimed at opening the door for more early
release of state prison inmates would place the
responsibility on the state Division of Parole (DOP) to
make the final decision on release.
Parole would be authorized to grant a merit termination
of sentence to certain non-violent offenders with
excellent records of program participation good behavior
while in prison.
Also non-violent offenders convicted of class A drug
felonies would be eligible for merit termination of their
sentences after two years of successful parole
supervision. Non-violent offenders convicted of other
classes of felonies would be eligible after one year.
This would apply for those who have not been convicted of
any new offense or engaged in any significant violation
of the terms of their paroles.
Parole also could grant either absolute discharge from
parole or conditional release when the offender has been
on unrevoked community supervision for at least three
consecutive years. This applies only if there are no
pending restitution issues, and if Parole determines that
the release is in the best interest of society.
PEF opposes this proposal to reduce parole supervision
because studies show offenders are much less likely to
engage in criminal behavior while under parole
supervision, than after release from it. — Sherry
Halbrook
Budget runs 165
DMV jobs off the road
The governor’s budget meter reads
“expired” for approximately 165 jobs at the
state Department of Motor Vehicles.
That department has already lost 180 more jobs than
called for in the current state budget.
It’s not clear yet where the proposed new job
reductions would take place.
The budget would shift jobs in administration, operations
and transportation safety, that are currently paid from
the state’s general fund, to a new
transportation-support capital projects fund.
Since the budget includes enough money to support just
1,940 of the 2,260 positions involved in that shift, it
appears 320 positions may be lost those three programs.
However, these losses would be partially offset by an
increase of 126 positions in the new identification
security program and 27 positions in the clean air
program. — Sherry Halbrook
See related budget links below:
• Office of Mental Health
(OMH)
• Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities (OMRDD)
• Office of Children and
Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• Department of Environmental
Conservation (ENCON)
• Education Department (SED)
• Vocational Education Services to Individuals with
Disabilities (VESID)
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of Corrections
Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV)
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
New pact ends 20 years of
sick-leave inequity
PEF wins $1.75 million for
members
Downstate members to save on
fares
Stay in the know with
contract talks
Early Retirement window is
closing fast
Budge
Breakdown
PEF fires back against
proposed budget
Program, job cuts in
proposed state budget
• Office of Mental Health
(OMH)
• OMRDD
• Office of Children
and Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• ENCON
• Education Department (SED)
• VESID
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of
Corrections Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV)
Departments
President's Message:
Stopping job-killing layoffs
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety: Working
conditions symposium
Member Mobilization:
Exposing weakest links
Nurses' Station: LobbyDay
plans for May 5th
Health Notes: Expanded
coverage for women
Retirees In Action:
Death-benefit coverage
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
DVD on members’
accounts of workplace violence
Hidden talents emerge among
members
State AFL-CIO offers
scholarship
Election Board meeting
DCAAccount user? File IRS
form 2441
2003-2006 Elections
Corrected Definitions
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
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The Communicator Staff
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