Ex-Cons in NY -- And Elsewhere in the U.S.

NY targets its drug arrests in some 8 (low income) sections of NYC. Each year previous batches of prisoners are released back to NYC -- with even dimmer prospects for making it now that Pataki has ended college for prisoners (several years back graduated the last class). Subtract 15 years from 2006 to return to 1991 when crime rates were high and add the fact of dim employment prospects now for ex-cons and unskilled workers in our minority communities and use a bit of imagination to determine which of the recidivists might seek out our properous communities for robberies? NY also has the highest percentage of solitary confinement cells in its numerous prisons -- these tend to drive people over the edge -- including particularly our mentally ill, whom we now also house in large numbers in our prisons.

Glance at Anthony Papa's website -- 15 Years to Life. Tony was pardonned after 12 years and works hard at rehabilitation of former cons: http://www.15yearstolife.com/

Or ask him: papa@15yearstolife.com

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National Stats -- August 2005 posting

Each year, approximately 650,000 individuals – over 1,800 per day – are released from federal and state prisons. Two of every three are re-arrested for a violation of parole or for a new crime within three years (Lynch and Sabol, 2001; Langan and Levin, 2002; Reentry Policy Council, 2003). These cycles of incarceration and recidivism are devastating to the wellbeing of communities, families and individuals.

http://www.celcee.edu/publications/digest/Dig05-07.html

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NY State Stats

Forty two percent of New York State lives in New York City, yet the city supplies 66% of the state's prisoners. Almost all (91%) of the state's prisoners are incarcerated in upstate prisons where they count for Census and political representation purposes in upstate districts. The 45th Senate District in the northeast corner of the state contains 12,989 state prisoners, few of whom actually live in the district.

http://www.prisonersofthecensus.org/newyork.shtml
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