Lawmakers Seek Involuntary Psych Commitment For Ex-Cons
By Jessica Alaimo Capital New York June 13, 2014
ALBANY—Two lawmakers have introduced a last-minute bill that would give parole officers the authority to start involuntary commitment proceedings for ex-cons with mental illnesses. The bill would also provide mental health discharge planning when inmates with mental illnesses are released from prison.
Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell and Senator Cathy Young introduced the bill after a mentally ill man was released from prison and was accused of stabbing two children in Brooklyn less than two weeks later.
“We cannot let this happen again. This recent tragedy is only the freshest example of the dire consequences that result when both our mental health and criminal justice systems fail us. I firmly believe in restorative justice, but when a person is mentally ill and dangerous, the only viable option may be institutionalization, and local officers must be empowered to choose that option when necessary,” O’Donnell said in a release.
Albany lawmakers have just four session days left. They will convene Monday through Thursday of next week.