A 22-day prison strike and the multiple deaths of those incarcerated during that time has reignited conversations about reforms in the state prison system. 

A report last fall claims white people were offered parole at higher rates than people of color — and the gap has widened in the last three years.

“It shows that as many as 1,500 Black and brown folks would be home with their families today if there were not racial disparities in the parole release," said Tolu Lawal, a staff attorney from the Center on Race, Inequality and the Law at New York University, which commissioned the report.

She said they found the New York State Parole Board was about 32% less likely to release a person of color from prison than a white person between 2022 and 2024. 

“That, compared to the prior six years before (Gov. Kathy Hochul’s) tenure is 71% worse in terms of racial disparities. And so, it's just really important to recognize that people need to come home. The commissioners need to ensure that they are actually looking at people based off of who they are today," she said.

The data wasn’t surprising for researchers or some familiar with the parole release process.

Jose Saldana is the director of Release Aging People in Prison and was formerly incarcerated for the attempted murder of a police officer. He served 38 years in prison.

“When something happens and it’s a white person involved, there’s excuses — has a learning disability, got mental health issues. But the same excuses never attach to a Black person. This is just the nature of the prison system because it’s founded on the legacy of racism," Saldana said.

Saldana and Lawal said two bills before the state Legislature would help solve their concerns.

One orders the parole board to release those eligible unless there's a "current and unreasonable risk" the incarcerated person will violate the law upon release. 

The second would make it so anyone 55 and older who has been in prison for at least 15 years is given an interview with the parole board. 

Both bills have existed for several years now, but neither have passed. Some state leaders say reform is needed, but don’t feel these bills are the right approach.

“I think it's more motivated by ideology, this policy, than it is about looking at what can and should we do to improve upon the system, but also to have some balance in the system right now, when you're talking about people who are committing these type of crimes. The standards are vague. I just want to avoid any unreasonable risk to this community at large," said state Sen. Joseph Griffo.

"Both bills, if passed, would go in large part in the way of supporting the returning the parole board to its original purpose. And again, the original purpose was to actually be a meaningful way of people being able to come home once they demonstrated that they are ready to come home," Lawal said.

Senate bills S-307 AND S-454 are currently in committee in the state Senate.

New York currently has the most diverse parole board in the state’s history.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) responded to the report in a statement, saying:

"The New York State Board of Parole, as the sole entity that considers and determines whether or not parole eligible individuals should be released, is an independent body whose members have been appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for a six-year term. The Board members base their decisions on whether the standards for release are satisfied in accordance with Executive Law 259-i.  Prior to making a final decision, the Board members must follow the statutory requirements when conducting the interview of the incarcerated individual which takes ‎into consideration many factors, including, statements made by victims and victims’ families, if any, as well as an incarcerated individual’s criminal history, institutional adjustment and accomplishments, potential to successfully reintegrate into the community, such as post release plans, and perceived risk to public safety. Additionally, by statute, the Board considers any recommendations concerning release to Community Supervision from the district attorney, sentencing court and the defense attorney. As per Board regulations, a Board interview must be conducted by a panel of at least two Board members, but typically, it is comprised of three Board members."