Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Horicon) is pushing back against proposed legislation to create a monthly retirement benefit for New York prison inmates. The legislation proposed by the Senate Majority would require inmates to be at least 62 years of age and have completed only five years of their sentences. If brought to the floor and passed, the eligible inmates would receive $30 a month on top of their Social Security benefits. Simpson and his colleagues in the Assembly and Senate Minorities have voiced their opposition to the proposal in the hopes that it will not be introduced for a house vote.

“What kind of message are we sending if prison inmates have a stipend while crime victims struggle to receive proper treatment? This is yet another slap in the face to every crime victim and taxpayer who works hard each day. The idea that tax dollars might be put into the pockets of prison inmates is absolutely backward and will further hinder the economic restoration New Yorkers heavily deserve,” said Simpson.

“The Albany Majority has yet to implement real legislation to assist our elderly who are deserving of more benefits or those struggling with the cost-of-living, yet we want to further help prison inmates? At the same time, correction officers are quitting before their retirement starts because they don’t feel safe returning to work all thanks to the HALT Act, which jeopardizes the officers’ safety in the facilities. This proposal is further coddling prison inmates and weakening our legal system here in New York,” concluded Simpson.