CANY Statement in Response to Gov. Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal & Priorities
CANY Applauds Gov. Hochul’s Reentry, Programming & Prison Closure Proposals, But Oversight Funding Must Be Enhanced in Final Budget
ALBANY, NY – The following statement can be attributed to Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York (CANY) in response to Gov. Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal, which includes several CANY recommendations but not a dedicated allocation of funds for prison oversight.
“CANY applauds Governor Hochul for focusing on reentry programs, improving education in state prisons, and suggesting the closure of five prisons in her budget proposal. However, the state must invest in independent and robust oversight, including of juvenile facilities, to increase transparency and improve conditions in state prisons. CANY will continue working closely with the Governor and legislative leaders to ensure comprehensive prison oversight funds are not only included, but enhanced in the next fiscal year.”
CANY also encourages the Governor to continue making meaningful changes to the state's prison system, aligning with initiatives proposed by CANY in November 2023.
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About CANY
CANY, under §146, of New York’s Correction Law, is charged with visiting and examining the state's correctional facilities to identify and report on prison conditions, the treatment of incarcerated individuals, and the administration of policy promulgated by the executive and legislature. Founded in 1844 by concerned citizens of the state and deputized by the state to provide monitoring and oversight of the state’s prisons in 1846, CANY is one of the first organizations in the country prescribed to administer civilian oversight of prisons.