NYC Council Calls for Full Restoration of ATI and Reentry Service Funding in Response to Mayor Adams' Budget Proposal

New York, NY - Today, the New York City Council released their response to Mayor Eric Adam's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget. In their response, NYC Council called for a full restoration of the $8.9 million in cuts to Alternatives to Incarceration and $8 million in cuts to reentry services. In calling for full restoration, New York City Council noted that these programs are able to "provide services tailored to participants, which can help reduce unnecessary incarceration and recidivism" and are thus fundamental to shoring up public safety in the city. The New York City Alternatives to Incarceration and Reentry Coalition applauds the Council's response and the recognition that our services are an evidence-based approach to public safety that reduces incarceration through investments in community-based systems of care. Five people have already died on or shortly after release from Rikers since the beginning of the year, and we must be doing everything possible to prevent such tragedies and significantly shrink the jail population. In addition to restoring cuts, we urge the Council to utilize the Alternatives to Incarceration Discretionary Fund to expand access to these critical, life-affirming services immediately.

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

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