The Bronx Defenders Condemns Governor Hochul’s Continued Delay of the Budget to Jail More New Yorkers Pre-Trial

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anthony Chiarito, achiarito@bronxdefenders.org 

New York, NY – After watching the New York State budget deadline come and go, The Bronx Defenders issued the following statement: 

“Once again, the budget is late because our Governor is insisting on changes to our bail law that would lead to thousands of New Yorkers being jailed and punished pre-trial. The Governor’s proposals will lead to more racial bias, more inequality, more division, more despair – and ultimately, more violence and instability in our communities.  

“What we need are investments in true community safety, yet the Governor has mounted a campaign of fear and misinformation that distract from real solutions. Amid this campaign, jail populations have gone up and deaths behind bars have increased, with a record number of New Yorkers dying in jail last year while waiting for their day in court. 

“We are confident in Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins’ convictions and principles. We also know they are under tremendous pressure, which is why we join other defenders, experts, and New Yorkers to tell them that we stand with them, urge them to hold the line, and reject the Governor’s bail proposal. Jailing more New Yorkers pre-trial will not make us safer.” 

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