September 17, 2021

Contact: Daniel Ball, dball@bds.org

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Brooklyn Defender Services Statement on Governor Hochul Signing the Less is More Act

(Brooklyn, NY) - Jackie Gosdigian, Senior Policy Counsel at Brooklyn Defender Services released the following statement following today’s signing of the Less is More Act by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul:

“People are suffering in New York City jails, and every single person freed from this escalating humanitarian crisis is another life spared. Hundreds of New Yorkers jailed at Rikers Island and many more across the state are currently incarcerated simply because of ‘technical’ violations of parole, such as missing a curfew or being late to an appointment with a parole officer. We thank Governor Hochul for signing the Less is More Act, which will free thousands of New Yorkers from jails around the state and ensure no one will be re-incarcerated for an alleged technical parole violation. We urge the Governor and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to immediately implement Less is More to free people now, as this crisis cannot wait any longer. The enactment of this law is just one vital step towards much-needed decarceration, and we demand our elected leaders, prosecutors, and judges take further action to reduce the jail population before another life is lost.”

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is a public defender organization serving tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents each year since 1996. Our mission is to provide high-quality and client-centered criminal, family, and immigration legal representation, as well as civil legal services, social work support and advocacy for people who cannot afford an attorney.

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