The governor of California, Kathy Hochul, took steps on Monday to make those being arrested feel better about themselves, despite the fact that even some Democrats are pushing for swift legislative action to curb growing crime.
Democrat-controlled Albany enacted a measure that Hochul signed into law, changing the word “inmate” in state law to “incarcerated person.”
“For far too long, our society has treated those who are jailed as less than human. The term “inmate” further dehumanizes and demoralizes them, according to state senator Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx), who co-sponsored the proposal with Jeffrion Aubry (D-Queens). Hochul approved the measure on Monday.
However, Hochul’s detractors claim she has dangerously misdirected priorities in light of the fact that murders increased by 34.3% from July 2021 to July 2022 and gunshots increased by 13.4% last month.
State Senator Jim Tedisco (R-Schenectady) tweeted on Monday afternoon, “Another ‘Woke’ Criminals 1st Law supported by our Governor instead of doing her job & protecting the public from rampant crime.”
The criticism comes amid mounting calls from Republicans and some Democrats, including Mayor Eric Adams, for Hochul to convene state legislators in Albany so they may rewrite contentious bail regulations that are seen to be a contributing factor in rising crime.
Hochul has rejected those initiatives and stated that she wants to wait until after the Novto evaluates the success of adjustments enacted in the state budget that was adopted in April, which she claims offers judges sufficient latitude to imprison those who pose a threat to public safety.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Suffolk), the Republican candidate for governor and Hochul’s opponent, has made bail reform one of his main priorities in advance of the Nov. 8 election since surveys indicate that the great majority of New Yorkers are concerned about crime.
As part of a larger initiative on public safety, Hochul has stated that the new legislation on “incarcerated individuals,” which builds on work done under her predecessor, will benefit New Yorkers. Hochul has also urged more tolerance with the city’s present bail restrictions.
