“Assembly Majority members sponsor a bill which would automatically fast-track parole hearings for inmates who have served fifteen years of their sentence and are over 55 years of age. That means that a 40-year-old who raped and murdered a child could be out in time to draw Social Security.

“Parole hearings should be earned by inmates who have shown real growth, real contrition and real evolution, not mandated by politicians who don’t like the idea of long sentences to begin with. For some, including cop killers like Judith Clark, there should be no opportunity for a second act. When it comes to reform, Majority members in New York are proving themselves to be more focused on criminals than justice. Once the parole process starts, hearings are held at least every two years, requiring the family members of crime victims to rehash the most traumatic experience of their lives over and over again. It’s wrong, and I won’t be supporting this misguided legislation,” said Blankenbush.