CSEA Challenges Close to Home Initiative over Criminal Background of Youth

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2012)(readMedia)-- CSEA today restated the dangers of fast tracking Governor Andrew Cuomo's Close to Home proposal for shifting juvenile offenders into nonexistent New York City programs as new information has come to light about the criminal background of those individuals who would be moved.

Thirty three percent of residents currently at Limited Secure facilities and 20 percent at Non-Secure facilities operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) had committed violent felony offenses, including aggravated assault and dangerous weapons possession, according to figures CSEA received in response to a Freedom of Information request.

The governor's initiative will not save any money and the agency has provided little detail about their plans. New York City does not have existing programs to handle this population. The proposal is part of the budget agreement, and has the state funneling money to New York City to help cover costs while walking away from its own responsibility for dealing with youthful offenders.

The budget agreement also includes the legislature giving away oversight authority for state agencies to the sole discretion of the Executive Branch.

"There are real public safety concerns that need to be addressed here," CSEA President Danny Donohue said. "It makes no sense whatsoever to put felons - violent, repeat offenders - back into the very neighborhoods where they got in trouble in the first place, without any evidence that they will be properly supervised. You can't just rubber-stamp an undertaking as serious as this without having facts about exactly how and if it will work, but legislators seem to be blindly buying into the administration's 'don't worry, just trust us,' approach."

CSEA has long argued the need for change in OCFS facilities, but the agency has repeatedly and recklessly failed to provide adequate staff, training and resources and has ignored deteriorating conditions that have put staff and residents at risk. Additionally, many of the youth in care act out violently and, but for their age, most would be in adult prisons for the crimes they committed. Some also have serious mental health and substance abuse issues that successive OCFS administrations have failed to address, even in secure settings. Many of the youth have been sent by the courts to state facilities after multiple offenses and after less restrictive programs have failed to change their behavior.

In addition to its apparent deficiency, it is also highly likely that the Close to Home initiative will result in many dedicated and highly qualified state workers who put themselves on the line every day, losing their jobs, further undercutting Cuomo administration claims that the state budget will be positive for job creation.

"The rapid and reckless dumping of violent individuals back onto the streets is dangerous and irresponsible and will continue to put unsuspecting communities at risk," Donohue said. "This will be another Renee Greco times a 100."

Donohue was referring to the murder of Buffalo-area direct care worker Renee Greco by a youth who had been inappropriately released by OCFS to community care. He pointed to that and the shootings of Rochester police officer Anthony DiPonzio and, more recently, New York City police officer Kevin Brennan as grim reminders of the tragic consequences that result from moving troubled youth into the community without adequate resources and supervision.