New York State Governor Kathy Hochul today announced plans to provide $100 million in new funding to open 12 new Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers across the state, which will provide care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The following statement is from New Yorkers United for Justice (NYUJ), a statewide criminal justice coalition of more than a dozen local and national nonprofit organizations:
“New Yorkers United for Justice (NYUJ) applauds Gov. Hochul’s announcement and the state’s plan to build 12 new community-based crisis stabilization centers. Initiatives like these will help prevent New Yorkers with mental illness from being wrongfully shunted into prisons and jails and affirms New York’s commitment to rebuilding a criminal legal system and health supports that prioritize humanity, fairness, dignity, and safety.
We all agree that incarceration is not the answer for many vulnerable New Yorkers who frequently come into contact with the justice system: allowing those in need of care to languish behind bars is pointlessly cruel and wastes taxpayer dollars. Emergency mental health facilities like those envisioned under this plan can provide the treatment and support New Yorkers need, while freeing up law enforcement resources to focus on serious crimes and improving public safety. Investments like these will help New York end the criminalization of homelessness and mental illnesses, and lead to safer and stronger communities.”
NYUJ recently launched the Second Chance Agenda for New York, an initiative to boost data-driven, proven reentry services across New York State and create permanent and safe paths to successful reentry. To learn more about the Second Chance Agenda for New York, visit https://nyuj.org/secondchances.