Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is back home in Manhattan after serving less than a year of a prison sentence set to last until 2026. 

His release has split lawmakers in a Capitol he once ruled with little question for a generation in state government. On the one hand, some lawmakers wanted to see Silver remain in prison, a sign that even after leaving office more than five years ago, the former speaker remains a lightning rod. But other lawmakers called for compassion amid word of Silver's failing health and during a pandemic. 

Last year, the once-powerful speaker was sent to prison after exhausting multiple appeals in his bribery and fraud case. Assemblyman Michael Lawler called Silver's release absurd. 

"He kept appealing, kept appealing and stayed out of jail for many, many years and now he's finally being released under the guise of compassion, I just think it's wrong," he said. "I think it's absurd. This is not a man who has shown any remorse for his behavior and his conduct while being one of the most powerful people in the state. He defrauded the people of the state of New York."

But not all Republicans agree. State Senator Jim Tedisco has been a staunch critic of Silver, and dueled with him during his time in the Assembly. But Tedisco says there should be some compassion. 

"My constituents like to see justice and I think justice has been proven and when there's an opportunity to show some compassion for somebody who could be in a very difficult straight health wise, it could have been and probably was the right thing to do," Tedisco said. 

Democratic Assemblyman Billy Jones says more details, though, are needed over the circumstances of Silver's release. It's not yet clear if Silver will remain under home arrest for the duration of his sentence or if the furlough will be temporary during the pandemic. Officials have sought to limit exposure in prisons at both the state and federal level through releases and furloughs. 

"He got the time he deserved and we'll have to see what comes out of this as far as the medical situation and his release," said Jones, a Democrat from the North Country. "I need to get more details." 

Silver was not due to be released until 2026, but a federal law has granted some inmates early release in order to halt the spread of the virus.