"In a move that went largely overlooked (and was likely intended to be, given the fact that it was made at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday before a three-day holiday weekend), Gov. David Paterson announced his latest nominee to chair the state Parole Board: Andrea Evans.
If she is confirmed by the state Senate for the $120,800-a-year job, Evans will be the fourth person tapped for the post since December 2008, and Paterson's third appointee..."
Read the full story in the Daily Politics blog by Elizabeth Benjamin, NY Daily News, May 25 2009.
Showing posts with label George B. Alexander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George B. Alexander. Show all posts
May 27, 2009
April 01, 2009
Building Bridges - April 2009 edition
The April 2009 edition of Building Bridges has just been issued by the Prison Action Network. Visit their blog to read all the latest news and updates. Subjects covered this month include:
Activities to educate, motivate, and mobilize
Budget speech by Commissioner Brian Fischer
Coalition for Fair Criminal Justice Policies - NYC
ICARE Reports
Legislation
Lifers and Longtermers Clearinghouse
Parole news
Prison health care report
Prison libraries research project
Prison media
Prisoners of the Census Reentry unit opens
Reentry speech by Commissioner Fischer
SHU Bill commentary by Sol Wachtler
Transportation to prisons
The Prison Action Network note that George B. Alexander, former NYS Chair of Parole, will be the special guest at the meeting of the Coalition For Fair Criminal Justice Policies - NYC Chapter on Saturday April 25, 10:30am-1pm. He will discuss his situation and his desire to return to his former position as Chair of Parole now that charges against him have been dismissed.
The meeting will be held at Fortune Society’s Offices, 29-76 Northern Blvd. (Rte 25A) between 40th Ave and 41st Ave in Long Island City.
Activities to educate, motivate, and mobilize
Budget speech by Commissioner Brian Fischer
Coalition for Fair Criminal Justice Policies - NYC
ICARE Reports
Legislation
Lifers and Longtermers Clearinghouse
Parole news
Prison health care report
Prison libraries research project
Prison media
Prisoners of the Census Reentry unit opens
Reentry speech by Commissioner Fischer
SHU Bill commentary by Sol Wachtler
Transportation to prisons
The Prison Action Network note that George B. Alexander, former NYS Chair of Parole, will be the special guest at the meeting of the Coalition For Fair Criminal Justice Policies - NYC Chapter on Saturday April 25, 10:30am-1pm. He will discuss his situation and his desire to return to his former position as Chair of Parole now that charges against him have been dismissed.
The meeting will be held at Fortune Society’s Offices, 29-76 Northern Blvd. (Rte 25A) between 40th Ave and 41st Ave in Long Island City.
March 14, 2009
Former Parole Board chief has laptop case adjourned toward dismissal
Former Parole Board chief has laptop case adjourned toward dismissal: Alexander also pays county $500 for keeping laptop computer in his home.
Full story by Matt Gryta, in the Buffalo News, 03/14/09.
"George B. Alexander, forced to resign as head of the state Parole Board after he was accused of stealing a laptop computer, was granted a six-month adjournment in contemplation of dismissal Friday.
Buffalo City Judge Jeffrey F. Voelkl issued the ruling for Alexander, 56, who had faced stolen property charges. The state attorney general also agreed to the sentence.
Alexander’s lawyer, John V. Elmore, said Alexander, who had previously served as Erie County probation commissioner, handed over a $500 check to Erie County for having the laptop for a year.
Elmore said Alexander “just forgot” he left the laptop in his Buffalo home in the swirl of activity that sent him to Albany for his job on weekdays, his attorney said.
Under the arrangement, Alexander’s adjournment will expire June 23 — six months after he was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on felony grand larceny and stolen property charges — “and he’ll have a clean slate,” Elmore said.
Alexander currently is a part-time criminal justice instructor at Buffalo State College.
Alexander, who returned to Buffalo on weekends, oversaw a parole operation with an annual $279 million budget and 2,300 employees. However, he neglected to surrender to the county the $1,700 Gateway laptop, which he brought home so his computer-savvy son could check out its bells and whistles, Elmore said.
Elmore said Alexander admitted in writing that he had the laptop from January 2007 to April 2008, when he returned it to the county, and admitted he “deprived” the Erie County Probation Department of its use... ..."
Full story by Matt Gryta, in the Buffalo News, 03/14/09.
"George B. Alexander, forced to resign as head of the state Parole Board after he was accused of stealing a laptop computer, was granted a six-month adjournment in contemplation of dismissal Friday.
Buffalo City Judge Jeffrey F. Voelkl issued the ruling for Alexander, 56, who had faced stolen property charges. The state attorney general also agreed to the sentence.
Alexander’s lawyer, John V. Elmore, said Alexander, who had previously served as Erie County probation commissioner, handed over a $500 check to Erie County for having the laptop for a year.
Elmore said Alexander “just forgot” he left the laptop in his Buffalo home in the swirl of activity that sent him to Albany for his job on weekdays, his attorney said.
Under the arrangement, Alexander’s adjournment will expire June 23 — six months after he was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on felony grand larceny and stolen property charges — “and he’ll have a clean slate,” Elmore said.
Alexander currently is a part-time criminal justice instructor at Buffalo State College.
Alexander, who returned to Buffalo on weekends, oversaw a parole operation with an annual $279 million budget and 2,300 employees. However, he neglected to surrender to the county the $1,700 Gateway laptop, which he brought home so his computer-savvy son could check out its bells and whistles, Elmore said.
Elmore said Alexander admitted in writing that he had the laptop from January 2007 to April 2008, when he returned it to the county, and admitted he “deprived” the Erie County Probation Department of its use... ..."
February 09, 2009
Governor David A. Paterson appoints Henry Lemons, Jr. as interim Chair of the New York State Board of Parole
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of Henry “Hank” Lemons, Jr. to serve as interim Chair of the New York State Board of Parole and interim Chief Executive Officer for the Division of Parole. Mr. Lemons, who has served as a member of the Board of Parole since 2007, will fulfill the role of former Chairman George B. Alexander until a new chair and CEO is confirmed by the New York State Senate.
In 2007, Mr. Lemons was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate for his position as member of the Board of Parole. He served from 2004 to 2007 as Deputy Chief Investigator for the New York State Attorney General. Prior to that post, he was the Assistant Chief Investigator for the Kings County District Attorney. Mr. Lemons is a former Sergeant and Detective with the New York City Police Department. He also served for four years of active duty with the United States Air Force.
Mr. Lemons earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice and planning from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his master’s in organizational leadership from Mercy College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Mr. Lemons was raised in the Bedford – Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and Queens, where he still resides.
The Board of Parole’s major responsibilities include determining release dates for inmates serving indeterminate prison terms, establishing conditions of release for inmates who are paroled and revoking parole when it is determined that a releasee has violated those conditions.
The Board of Parole consists of up to 19 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for a six-year term. One member is designated by the Governor to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the division. Those positions were held by Mr. Alexander until his resignation in December.
Executive Director Felix M. Rosa Jr. had been nominated to succeed Mr. Alexander. Mr. Rosa withdrew his name from consideration last week.
As interim Chair of the Board of Parole, Mr. Lemons’ salary will be $120,800.
In 2007, Mr. Lemons was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate for his position as member of the Board of Parole. He served from 2004 to 2007 as Deputy Chief Investigator for the New York State Attorney General. Prior to that post, he was the Assistant Chief Investigator for the Kings County District Attorney. Mr. Lemons is a former Sergeant and Detective with the New York City Police Department. He also served for four years of active duty with the United States Air Force.
Mr. Lemons earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice and planning from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his master’s in organizational leadership from Mercy College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Mr. Lemons was raised in the Bedford – Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and Queens, where he still resides.
The Board of Parole’s major responsibilities include determining release dates for inmates serving indeterminate prison terms, establishing conditions of release for inmates who are paroled and revoking parole when it is determined that a releasee has violated those conditions.
The Board of Parole consists of up to 19 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for a six-year term. One member is designated by the Governor to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the division. Those positions were held by Mr. Alexander until his resignation in December.
Executive Director Felix M. Rosa Jr. had been nominated to succeed Mr. Alexander. Mr. Rosa withdrew his name from consideration last week.
As interim Chair of the Board of Parole, Mr. Lemons’ salary will be $120,800.
February 05, 2009
Felix M. Rosa Jr. withdraws his name from consideration for Chair of the NYS Board of Parole
Felix M. Rosa Jr. has withdrawn his name from consideration for Chair of the NYS Board of Parole citing "personal reasons", following an allegation that arose while he was being vetted for the post. It is alleged that he sexually harassed Parole Interpreter Pamela Menera fourteen years ago.
Mr. Rosa issued the following statement:
"I have withdrawn my name as a candidate for appointment to the Board of Parole and the related consideration for appointment as Chairman of the Board of Parole due to personal reasons.
I am honored that the Governor considered me for this position and will continue my commitment to further the mission of this agency and Governor Paterson's initiatives in criminal justice."
(Governor David A. Paterson announced the nomination of Felix M. Rosa Jr. to serve as a Member and Chair of the State Board of Parole on January 16th 2009. George Alexander, the previous Chair of Parole, resigned on December 18th 2008 following allegations that he stole a laptop computer.)
Mr. Rosa issued the following statement:
"I have withdrawn my name as a candidate for appointment to the Board of Parole and the related consideration for appointment as Chairman of the Board of Parole due to personal reasons.
I am honored that the Governor considered me for this position and will continue my commitment to further the mission of this agency and Governor Paterson's initiatives in criminal justice."
(Governor David A. Paterson announced the nomination of Felix M. Rosa Jr. to serve as a Member and Chair of the State Board of Parole on January 16th 2009. George Alexander, the previous Chair of Parole, resigned on December 18th 2008 following allegations that he stole a laptop computer.)
January 14, 2009
The Monster Among Them, by Billy Doane
Thought-provoking article which raises questions about the parole system in NYS:
The Monster Among Them – by Billy Doane
On October 15, 2008, New York Parole Board commissioner Chris Ortloff was arrested in an Albany motel for soliciting sex from minors on the Internet. Ortloff, a Board member for two years, was apprehended in consequence of a four-month sting operation by the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Albany Times Union, 10/15/08). According to the official complaint, Ortloff believed he was arranging a sexual liaison with two children aged eleven and twelve. Instead, he was arrested in his motel room, naked, and in possession of sex toys and lubricants. Since his arrest, he has admitted to having sex with nine and twelve year olds and having an indecent fondness for toddlers (New York Daily News, 10/15/08). When Ortloff was not preying on children, he was functioning as a no-nonsense Parole Board member known for his tough on crime approach to parole consideration. The blatant hypocrisy, absence of moral conscience, and violation of the public trust exhibited by Ortloff's criminal conduct exposed a Jekyll and Hyde persona that turns an accusing finger back on the parole system as it currently exists in New York State.
As anyone who has been before a parole board knows, these hearings are conspicuously devoid of any substantive method by which an inmate can be judged by total strangers in a fifteen-minute appearance. Even the federal courts have noted the "nebulousness" of New York State's "extremely vague statutory standards", and that the "statute's language does not provide a workable decision-making scheme and the broad grant of discretion has not been structured for exercise in a fair, rational and non-discriminatory fashion" (U.S. ex. rel. Johnson v. Chairman, 500 F2d, 925). The absence of objective criteria is substituted with the "unfettered discretion" of Parole Board members. One would think the Board's discretionary authority would be tethered to concrete data concerning proficiency, conduct, performance of prison duties, completion of DOCS mandated programs and other positive accomplishments directed toward rehabilitation. However, parole consideration under NYS Executive Law § 259 (i) specifically states that parole is not a reward for these factors. There is no other objective criterion that provides an empirical measure of individual self-improvement in a given period of incarceration. Since the parole statute excludes reliance on prison accomplishments, lacks objective criteria, and a statutory mandated decision-making scheme, how does the Parole Board determine who does and does not present a continued public risk? Given the vagueness of the statute, the provision of wide discretionary powers infers a dependence on an intuitive element in the decision-making process.
This intuitive theory is substantiated by the statutory requirement of physical appearance before a panel of Parole Board members. What are they looking for? What does rehabilitation look or sound like when detached from the unrewardable data of prison conduct and achievement? American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are held to a higher standard of objective measure than New York State parole commissioners. For two years, the New York Division of Parole has had a monster in its midst, an admitted predatory child-molester who exerted a great deal of energy in pursuing his degeneracy while protecting his upstanding public image. How many parole commissioners were duped by this sociopath? All of them apparently; yet these same commissioners, who could not detect Chris Ortloff’s diabolical character even while working closely with him, are expected to determine in a fifteen-minute hearing whether if placed on parole, an individual will remain at liberty without violating the law. This is not an indictment of parole commissioners who failed to recognize the demon lurking beneath the public face of Chris Ortloff. After all, they are only human, and human beings are simply not capable of penetrating the hidden self in others. That’s the point. Even well-meaning Parole Board appointees are subjected to a flawed statute that reduces parole from a rational system of practical evaluation to a penological exercise in clairvoyance. Not only is the system of subjective prognostication unfair to the individuals who have spent years – decades even – in the sincere commitment to rehabilitation, but clearly, a hit-or-miss, spin-the-wheel guessing game is a violation of public trust. At the very least, the state could replace the political pretence that parole is a rational process with the public virtue of government transparency; discontinue the political patronage of Parole Board appointments. This will save the state more than 1.5 million dollars in annual six-figure salaries. At considerable savings, contract Ms. Cleo and the Psychic Hotline, which will transfer the nebulousness of parole from the uncertain speculation of rank amateurs, and place it in the mystical minds of professional soothsayers. In the meantime, Ortloff’s arrest should give pause to Commissioner Alexander and all of the remaining Parole Board members. Evaluating individual character, integrity, and potential, requires more than the superficial observation and cursory examination indicative of current parole practice that merely satisfies a minimum statutory requirement. Parole consideration must be tied to individualized criteria that provide parole commissioners with evidence of positive change, personal growth, and civic consciousness. Undoubtedly, when Ortloff goes before a Parole Board panel many years from now, he will not want to be judged by the same subjective vagaries he used while pretending to be the self-righteous arbiter of the public good.
Questions remain concerning the potential legal ramifications that stem from the arrest of Chris Ortloff. Ortloff, 61, has not been convicted of a crime, but various media outlets have reported his voluntary admissions of indecent and illegal conduct. His voluntary resignation from his six-figure Parole Board appointment also suggests an admission of culpability. One would also expect that after a four-month sting operation, the investigative agency would have accumulated a trove of incriminating evidence. Admissions are not confessions and evidence is not fact. Criminal culpability aside, Ortloff’s voluntary admissions clearly violate the New York State Code of Ethics (Public Officers Law § 74). More importantly, the mental imbalance evident from Ortloff’s tough on crime public persona and the moral degeneracy of his private life clearly invalidates any defense argument that he was capable of making rational or moral judgments concerning the rehabilitation of others. Ortloff once stated, “Our government must do more to keep dangerous, sexually violent predators away from children and women” (Albany Times Union, 10/15/08). I agree – appointing them to the Parole Board, however, is not the solution.
How much of Ortloff’s tough on crime rhetoric and actual parole denials were calculated, deceptive tactics affected to assuage his own personal guilt? Was being tough on others a form of psychological transference wherein his own self-loathing was redirected to others? Freud would have had a field day with this guy. It would be advisable for those who had Ortloff conducting or participating in their parole hearing to include arguments attacking his competence by juxtaposing his admissions against the State Code of Ethics. It would be interesting to know if Commissioner Alexander was aware of the ongoing investigation, and continued to permit Ortloff to participate in parole hearings.
– Postscript –
On December 24, 2008, Ortloff pled guilty to using the Internet to prey on children for sex. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2009 in Albany and is currently free on $100,000.00 bail. Under a plea agreement, Ortloff will receive 10 years rather than face the possibility of a life sentence had he been found guilty at trial. Under federal guidelines, Ortloff will serve a determinate sentence with a specified release date. Consequently, this former “tough on crime” parole commissioner with a reputation for summarily denying parole applications, will never have to face a parole hearing himself. When released, he’ll also be half a million dollars richer, thanks to his taxpayers-funded $53,000.00 a year for life pension guaranteed under New York State’s Constitution (New York Post, 12/27/08).
New York’s Board of Parole suffered further embarrassment when Parole Chairman George B. Alexander was forced to resign because at a criminal investigation, Alexander was found to be in possession of a $1,700.00 laptop that was missing from the Erie County Probation Office where Alexander worked prior to his appointment to the Parole Board. Alexander previously denied any knowledge of the missing laptop, but a GPS security device led investigation to his home. Alexander is expected to plead guilty to official misconduct, a misdemeanor (Albany Times Union, 12/19/08).
The Monster Among Them – by Billy Doane
On October 15, 2008, New York Parole Board commissioner Chris Ortloff was arrested in an Albany motel for soliciting sex from minors on the Internet. Ortloff, a Board member for two years, was apprehended in consequence of a four-month sting operation by the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Albany Times Union, 10/15/08). According to the official complaint, Ortloff believed he was arranging a sexual liaison with two children aged eleven and twelve. Instead, he was arrested in his motel room, naked, and in possession of sex toys and lubricants. Since his arrest, he has admitted to having sex with nine and twelve year olds and having an indecent fondness for toddlers (New York Daily News, 10/15/08). When Ortloff was not preying on children, he was functioning as a no-nonsense Parole Board member known for his tough on crime approach to parole consideration. The blatant hypocrisy, absence of moral conscience, and violation of the public trust exhibited by Ortloff's criminal conduct exposed a Jekyll and Hyde persona that turns an accusing finger back on the parole system as it currently exists in New York State.
As anyone who has been before a parole board knows, these hearings are conspicuously devoid of any substantive method by which an inmate can be judged by total strangers in a fifteen-minute appearance. Even the federal courts have noted the "nebulousness" of New York State's "extremely vague statutory standards", and that the "statute's language does not provide a workable decision-making scheme and the broad grant of discretion has not been structured for exercise in a fair, rational and non-discriminatory fashion" (U.S. ex. rel. Johnson v. Chairman, 500 F2d, 925). The absence of objective criteria is substituted with the "unfettered discretion" of Parole Board members. One would think the Board's discretionary authority would be tethered to concrete data concerning proficiency, conduct, performance of prison duties, completion of DOCS mandated programs and other positive accomplishments directed toward rehabilitation. However, parole consideration under NYS Executive Law § 259 (i) specifically states that parole is not a reward for these factors. There is no other objective criterion that provides an empirical measure of individual self-improvement in a given period of incarceration. Since the parole statute excludes reliance on prison accomplishments, lacks objective criteria, and a statutory mandated decision-making scheme, how does the Parole Board determine who does and does not present a continued public risk? Given the vagueness of the statute, the provision of wide discretionary powers infers a dependence on an intuitive element in the decision-making process.
This intuitive theory is substantiated by the statutory requirement of physical appearance before a panel of Parole Board members. What are they looking for? What does rehabilitation look or sound like when detached from the unrewardable data of prison conduct and achievement? American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are held to a higher standard of objective measure than New York State parole commissioners. For two years, the New York Division of Parole has had a monster in its midst, an admitted predatory child-molester who exerted a great deal of energy in pursuing his degeneracy while protecting his upstanding public image. How many parole commissioners were duped by this sociopath? All of them apparently; yet these same commissioners, who could not detect Chris Ortloff’s diabolical character even while working closely with him, are expected to determine in a fifteen-minute hearing whether if placed on parole, an individual will remain at liberty without violating the law. This is not an indictment of parole commissioners who failed to recognize the demon lurking beneath the public face of Chris Ortloff. After all, they are only human, and human beings are simply not capable of penetrating the hidden self in others. That’s the point. Even well-meaning Parole Board appointees are subjected to a flawed statute that reduces parole from a rational system of practical evaluation to a penological exercise in clairvoyance. Not only is the system of subjective prognostication unfair to the individuals who have spent years – decades even – in the sincere commitment to rehabilitation, but clearly, a hit-or-miss, spin-the-wheel guessing game is a violation of public trust. At the very least, the state could replace the political pretence that parole is a rational process with the public virtue of government transparency; discontinue the political patronage of Parole Board appointments. This will save the state more than 1.5 million dollars in annual six-figure salaries. At considerable savings, contract Ms. Cleo and the Psychic Hotline, which will transfer the nebulousness of parole from the uncertain speculation of rank amateurs, and place it in the mystical minds of professional soothsayers. In the meantime, Ortloff’s arrest should give pause to Commissioner Alexander and all of the remaining Parole Board members. Evaluating individual character, integrity, and potential, requires more than the superficial observation and cursory examination indicative of current parole practice that merely satisfies a minimum statutory requirement. Parole consideration must be tied to individualized criteria that provide parole commissioners with evidence of positive change, personal growth, and civic consciousness. Undoubtedly, when Ortloff goes before a Parole Board panel many years from now, he will not want to be judged by the same subjective vagaries he used while pretending to be the self-righteous arbiter of the public good.
Questions remain concerning the potential legal ramifications that stem from the arrest of Chris Ortloff. Ortloff, 61, has not been convicted of a crime, but various media outlets have reported his voluntary admissions of indecent and illegal conduct. His voluntary resignation from his six-figure Parole Board appointment also suggests an admission of culpability. One would also expect that after a four-month sting operation, the investigative agency would have accumulated a trove of incriminating evidence. Admissions are not confessions and evidence is not fact. Criminal culpability aside, Ortloff’s voluntary admissions clearly violate the New York State Code of Ethics (Public Officers Law § 74). More importantly, the mental imbalance evident from Ortloff’s tough on crime public persona and the moral degeneracy of his private life clearly invalidates any defense argument that he was capable of making rational or moral judgments concerning the rehabilitation of others. Ortloff once stated, “Our government must do more to keep dangerous, sexually violent predators away from children and women” (Albany Times Union, 10/15/08). I agree – appointing them to the Parole Board, however, is not the solution.
How much of Ortloff’s tough on crime rhetoric and actual parole denials were calculated, deceptive tactics affected to assuage his own personal guilt? Was being tough on others a form of psychological transference wherein his own self-loathing was redirected to others? Freud would have had a field day with this guy. It would be advisable for those who had Ortloff conducting or participating in their parole hearing to include arguments attacking his competence by juxtaposing his admissions against the State Code of Ethics. It would be interesting to know if Commissioner Alexander was aware of the ongoing investigation, and continued to permit Ortloff to participate in parole hearings.
– Postscript –
On December 24, 2008, Ortloff pled guilty to using the Internet to prey on children for sex. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2009 in Albany and is currently free on $100,000.00 bail. Under a plea agreement, Ortloff will receive 10 years rather than face the possibility of a life sentence had he been found guilty at trial. Under federal guidelines, Ortloff will serve a determinate sentence with a specified release date. Consequently, this former “tough on crime” parole commissioner with a reputation for summarily denying parole applications, will never have to face a parole hearing himself. When released, he’ll also be half a million dollars richer, thanks to his taxpayers-funded $53,000.00 a year for life pension guaranteed under New York State’s Constitution (New York Post, 12/27/08).
New York’s Board of Parole suffered further embarrassment when Parole Chairman George B. Alexander was forced to resign because at a criminal investigation, Alexander was found to be in possession of a $1,700.00 laptop that was missing from the Erie County Probation Office where Alexander worked prior to his appointment to the Parole Board. Alexander previously denied any knowledge of the missing laptop, but a GPS security device led investigation to his home. Alexander is expected to plead guilty to official misconduct, a misdemeanor (Albany Times Union, 12/19/08).
December 26, 2008
Criminal allegations against two members of the NYS Parole Board
Astounding criminal allegations against two members of the NYS Parole Board:
State Parole Division Chairman George B. Alexander resigned on December 18th amid allegations that he stole a laptop computer from his previous job in Buffalo. Former Parole Board Chairman George B. Alexander is being prosecuted on felony charges by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Until an acting or new chairman is designated, executive director Felix Rosa been asked to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Division.
State Parole Board Commissioner Chris Ortloff resigned from the Parole Board after his arrest on October 13th on federal charges of attempting to solicit sex with minors. Update on December 26th: "Former state Assemblyman George C. ''Chris'' Ortloff pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday morning to a felony charge in connection with his attempt to have sex with what he believed were two sisters, ages 11 and 12. Ortloff, a former member of the state Parole Board, pleaded guilty to a single count of online enticement of minors. The conviction carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life in prison. By signing the plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Ortloff avoided indictment and accepted responsibility for his crimes. The government, in turn, agreed to recommend a reduced sentence..." (full story...)
See also:
The Ortloff Affidavit: includes the Motion for Pretrial Detention. (wcax.com, Plattsburgh, New York, October 16 2008.)
Ortloff's release shocks one's conscience: commentary by June Maxam. (North Country Gazette, December 25th 2008.)
Sexual predator Ortloff will get pension: Constitution shields former lawmaker, admitted sex criminal, by Denise A. Raymo. (Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, December 31 2008.)
State Parole Division Chairman George B. Alexander resigned on December 18th amid allegations that he stole a laptop computer from his previous job in Buffalo. Former Parole Board Chairman George B. Alexander is being prosecuted on felony charges by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Until an acting or new chairman is designated, executive director Felix Rosa been asked to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Division.
State Parole Board Commissioner Chris Ortloff resigned from the Parole Board after his arrest on October 13th on federal charges of attempting to solicit sex with minors. Update on December 26th: "Former state Assemblyman George C. ''Chris'' Ortloff pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday morning to a felony charge in connection with his attempt to have sex with what he believed were two sisters, ages 11 and 12. Ortloff, a former member of the state Parole Board, pleaded guilty to a single count of online enticement of minors. The conviction carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life in prison. By signing the plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Ortloff avoided indictment and accepted responsibility for his crimes. The government, in turn, agreed to recommend a reduced sentence..." (full story...)
See also:
The Ortloff Affidavit: includes the Motion for Pretrial Detention. (wcax.com, Plattsburgh, New York, October 16 2008.)
Ortloff's release shocks one's conscience: commentary by June Maxam. (North Country Gazette, December 25th 2008.)
Sexual predator Ortloff will get pension: Constitution shields former lawmaker, admitted sex criminal, by Denise A. Raymo. (Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, December 31 2008.)
November 06, 2008
Family Empowerment Day 4/NYC
See Building Bridges for the Prison Action Network's report on Family Empowerment Day 4/NYC, including the keynote address by George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole.
August 01, 2008
Family Empowerment Day 4 - NYC will be held on Saturday October 25th 2008 at the Columbia Law School
Important news from the Prison Action Network:
Family Empowerment Day 4 - NYC will be held on Saturday October 25th, 2008 from 9-4 at the Columbia Law School, with the theme "Taking Action to Bring Our Loved Ones Home".
George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole, will be the keynote speaker and will be reporting on "The State of Parole Today".
The Prison Action Network, together with a team of advisers representing parole, legislative action, and media, aim to use this platform to create a plan for a strategy to obtain fair and just parole decisions.
Family Empowerment Day 4 - NYC will be held on Saturday October 25th, 2008 from 9-4 at the Columbia Law School, with the theme "Taking Action to Bring Our Loved Ones Home".
George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole, will be the keynote speaker and will be reporting on "The State of Parole Today".
The Prison Action Network, together with a team of advisers representing parole, legislative action, and media, aim to use this platform to create a plan for a strategy to obtain fair and just parole decisions.
Interview with George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole
There will be an interview with George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole, on The Fancy Broccoli Show on 17th August 2008.
George Alexander will be taking questions from callers during the interview.
George Alexander will be taking questions from callers during the interview.
May 01, 2008
Parole hearing information is now on the NYS Division of Parole's web site
Information about parole hearings in NYS, available on the NYS DOCS Inmate Population Information Search web site, has now also been added to the NYS Division of Parole's web page.
The first phase of the NYS Division of Parole's new initiative went online today, allowing users to look back at parole board determinations over the past two years, and forward to cases due to come before the board within the next six months. A link has been added to make it easier for crime victims to submit a victim impact statement.
Phase II of the initiative is due to go online later this year and will add search capabilities and information on individuals currently on parole, such as the length of sentence served by the offender, the supervising parole officer, and contact information for the appropriate regional parole office.
A statement about the new initiative by George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole, may be found here.
The first phase of the NYS Division of Parole's new initiative went online today, allowing users to look back at parole board determinations over the past two years, and forward to cases due to come before the board within the next six months. A link has been added to make it easier for crime victims to submit a victim impact statement.
Phase II of the initiative is due to go online later this year and will add search capabilities and information on individuals currently on parole, such as the length of sentence served by the offender, the supervising parole officer, and contact information for the appropriate regional parole office.
A statement about the new initiative by George B. Alexander, Chairman of the NYS Division of Parole, may be found here.
January 16, 2008
Chairman George B. Alexander's testimony on Parole, January 15, 2008
Chairman George B. Alexander presents his testimony on Parole to the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee on January 15, 2008.
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