Myths & Realities
Prison & Recidivism
... it's not what you see on TV and in the Movies ...

Over the years, a number of stereotypes have developed concerning 'all' men and women in prison. These stereotypes have been sensationalized by movies and television programs, creating in the minds of the public, an image of the imprisoned as dangerous, anti-social misfits waiting on the first opportunity to inflict criminal behavior on society.

Politicians have fueled this 'blanket perception' of the incarcerated as 'thugs' to manipulate fear and anxiety in an effort to secure votes. The public has for the most part been uninformed about prison, and prisoners in particular. They have based their evaluations on myths that need to be addressed.

In this section we will address four myths related to violent crime, early release and recidivism. Our goal is that the information provided below will provide a clearer understanding about the relevant components of parole in the State of New York.

Myth - Violent Crimes

1. Men incarcerated for long periods of time, who have been convicted of a violent offense, are more likely to commit violent crimes if released on parole.

Reality

The fact of the matter is that the exact opposite is true. Men convicted of violent crimes, who serve long durations in prison are less likely to commit any crime when they are released on parole. Statistics have identified three factors that impact on recidivism. These factors are:

• Years the individual has been incarcerated
• Their level of education
• Age at the time of release

The statistics indicate that men who have been incarcerated for fifteen years or more, gained higher education, and who are forty years of age or more when considered for parole, are the least likely to return to prison.

Myth - Higher Education

2. Prisoners who pursue college while in prison are only interested in becoming sophisticated criminals upon release.

Reality

Statistics show that over 75% of prisoners in the State of New York do not have a high school diploma*. This statistic is staggering. It therefore stands to reason that there is a clear connection between the uneducated members of our society and criminal activity. Prisoners who pursue a college education are statistically the most progressive members of the prisoner population, and are the most successful at reintegrating back into society without committing future violations of the law. Recidivism rates decrease as the level of education increases (with New York Theological Seminary {NYTS} graduates having the lowest recidivism of all at only 4%**).

Myth - Early Parole

3. All inmates in the State of New York are granted early parole.

Reality

The truth of the matter is that every incarcerated man and woman in New York State serves the entirety of his/her minimum sentence before they are considered for parole. The concept of receiving "early parole" has been manipulated by the press and political figures to deceive the public.

Here is an example:

A person convicted of robbery is sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison. That means that the person cannot be considered for release until 3 years have been served. At that time, the Parole Board will make a determination as to whether or not the individual has fulfilled the guidelines established by Executive Law 259-i (2)(c)(A) 'Discretionary Release' and the Parole Board, and 'if the individual still poses a risk to public safety.' If no, the person should be released at 3 years. If yes, the person can be held up to the 9 years. The sentence is structured to indicate to the Parole Board that there are reasons to grant parole at the 3-year mark, but that is not early release. That is the person's sentence structure. There is no time off for good behavior or early release in New York State. The sentence structure is the determining factor.

Myth - Recidivism

4. Most people released from prison return within one year.

Reality

Although the recidivism rate is high overall, an examination of the statistics will indicate that the majority of men returning to prison are those men convicted initially for drug offenses and other low-level crimes who serve relatively short sentences. Men who have been in prison for over fifteen years or more are the least likely to return to prison. Factor higher education into the equation of those serving lengthy sentences and the recidivism rate is even lower. The 'revolving door' premise is therefore being pushed by politicians for their own political agendas.

Scenario: A drug offender is arrested and sent to prison.

He receives a short one to three-year sentence because it is classified a a 'non-violent' crime. He goes to jail, but does not take advantage of the rehabilitative programs because he has received very little time, and does not care whether he is rehabilitated or not. He is released. Then he goes and does the same thing because he is in the same social situation as he was when he originally came to prison, minus the three years where he laid up playing basketball and watching TV. This time he is convicted of a weapons charge. He negotiates a plea bargain and gets a three to six-year sentence. It is still classified as a non-violent offense 'weapons charge.' He serves his time in the same unproductive manner and enjoys all benefits of Govenor Pataki's open door policy of releasing 'non-violent' offenders and is released after three years. Now he goes back out and does the same thing, because he has not rehabilitated himself because there was no need to, but this time he's still selling the drugs; he still has the gun, and now he shoots someone and kills them in a drug deal gone bad. He then goes to prison and they dub him as the poster boy for the 'revolving door violent offender,' but the policies of Govenor Pataki allowed him to move from the point of moving from a low-level drug dealer with no education, to a gun-toting murderer (still without education) who has already been in and out of the system two times without the system compelling him to pursue rehabilitation.

Now compare this scenario to someone who has committed one crime and who has spent 15 to 25 years in the penitentiary, who has acquired his GED, college degree, and master's degree, who has actively constructed and faciltated programs in the State of New York, who has not one, but several job offers upon release, family support, and a solid institutional record, but most importantly of all, who has taken responsibility for his past criminal behavior and made a conscious decision and commitment to living the rest of his life without committing future crimes.

We ask you ... who do you believe would be the best candidate for parole and the most successful and productive in society once released? Govenor Pataki is allowing men falling under our initial scenario to be released from prison; while prohibiting those from being released who fall within the parameters of his 'blanket' policy.

The prisoners highlighted on this web site have all served lengthy sentences, and have all received their Master's Degree through New York Theological Seminary (NYTS). They have accepted responsibility for their crime and worked for many years to make amends by giving back and contributing their time and energies toward helping other prisoners. We believe this makes them the best candidates for parole, with the best chance of success upon release, and we urge you to Visit our Parole Support Center below to see if one (or more) of those listed merit a letter of support on their behalf for their next parole hearing.

*Sourse for 75% of prisoners without high school diploma: League of Women's Voters of New York State, Publication of Balancing Justice in New York State, A Citizen's Fact Book in Criminal Justice, 1999.

**Source for NYTS Recidivism: New York Theological Seminary, 2003 Program Information