NYS ATI and Reentry Coalition Pleased by Continued Funding for Community-Based Programs in State's FY26 Budget but Notes Critical Need for Expanding Investments Statewide

Further, we applaud the NYS Senate for their additional investment of $6 million in these programs, as well as allocations of $2.5 million from each house for community-based crime and violence reduction efforts. These transformative programs increase public safety and decrease taxpayer costs by preventing unnecessary jail, emergency room, and shelter stays. However, our state remains at a crossroads where greater investments are desperately needed to fill persistent service gaps. Ranging from life-saving substance use and mental health treatment to life-changing peer mentoring and group sessions that help young people learn and practice effective conflict resolution, these services help not only individuals entangled in the criminal legal system, but they also ensure the well-being of individuals, families, and communities across our entire state. In a moment where the NYS prison system continues to be in deep crisis, we strongly encourage the NYS Legislature to utilize the remaining days of session to pass legislation that will decrease our overreliance on mass incarceration through these and other avenues: continuing to expand funding for and access to diversion programs; activating all mechanisms at the State's disposal for early release; and ensuring connection to robust reentry services that prepare people to thrive in the community and support them when they come home.

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Media Contact:
Arianne Keegan
Director of Communications, Legal Action Center
communications@lac.org
(212) 243-1313

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