New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Subtitle A - Governor's Office
Chapter I - Executive Orders
Part 1 - Executive Orders (Nelson A. Rockefeller)
Section 1.5 - Executive order no. 5: recommending special procedures to be followed by parole board in all cases involving individuals convicted of murder or of sex crimes
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
TO: Chairman of the Board of Parole
Commissioner of Correction
Commissioner of Mental Hygiene
Tragic events in the course of the past month involving a recently paroled inmate have focused public attention upon important matters of correction and parole to which you and your associates have given earnest and continuing consideration. These events have emphasized the special difficulties faced by the Parole Board in reaching sound determination in cases involving prisoners who have been convicted of homicides or of serious sex offenses. In such cases, insight into the individual's personality is of particular importance and the need for safeguarding the public looms very large.
The Parole Board has furnished me with a report as to the circumstances surrounding the release on parole of the inmate involved in this recent crime and has made available to my Counsel and his staff for their inspection the records relating to this case.
Consultation with the entire membership of the Parole Board and with representatives of the Department of Correction and the Department of Mental Hygiene and a review of these materials from the Parole Board indicate that there are certain specific ways in which parole procedures for cases where the safety of the public is necessarily of such concern can be further significantly strengthened. I am accordingly making the following recommendations to the Parole Board and directing by this Executive Order that the following administrative action be taken to permit the Parole Board to adapt its procedures to effect by recommendations:
A. Recommendations to the Parole Board
B. Administrative Action
The Department of Mental Hygiene shall promptly provide appropriate staff to establish special psychiatric procedures for examining prospective parolees at the Sing Sing State Prison in Ossining, New York, and at the Attica State Prison in Attica, New York.
The Department of Correction shall transfer from any of the other correctional institutions in the State and make available for the special psychiatric examinations at the two institutions the prospective parolees designated by the Parole Board.
Signed: Nelson A. RockefellerDated: July 23, 1960
[FN*] [Amended by Executive Order No. 9, infra.]