New York’s Parole Board is stirring up quite the controversy due to concerns about its members, their hefty paychecks, and some eyebrow-raising parole decisions. There are 16 folks on this board, mostly political appointees or former criminal defense lawyers, with a bunch hanging around even after their terms expired. Over the last eight years, they’ve okayed parole for 43 convicted cop killers, which has a lot of people talking.
These board members are pulling in $190,000 a year, which is a whopping 87% bump since 2019. Meanwhile, the board’s workload has shrunk significantly, handling only 11,336 parole cases in 2022 compared to the 20,504 they dealt with in 2018, according to a legislative report.
One member who’s been particularly controversial is Tana Agostini, a former staffer for the state Assembly committee on prisons. Back in 2013, Agostini played a key role in getting Thomas O’Sullivan, a guy doing time for a 1982 contract killing in Queens, out on parole.
Not only had he escaped custody and attacked another inmate, but Agostini went and married him while he was still behind bars. She joined the Parole Board in 2017, thanks to then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Of the 16 current board members, 11 were appointed by Democrats during Cuomo’s tenure, and some have been serving for over five years past their term expiration. The board’s makeup includes several former Legal Aid Society attorneys, public defenders, and prisoner-rights advocates, with very few from law enforcement backgrounds. Critics argue this tilt has put public safety at risk.
Former Gov. George Pataki didn’t mince words when he told the New York Post, “Cuomo stacked the parole board with his leftist friends who have no appreciation for the sacrifice our police make.” He was particularly upset about the release of 43 convicted cop killers. This trend began after Cuomo introduced new parole guidelines in 2017, which progressive criminal justice folks supported.
These new rules focus more on an inmate’s behavior in prison, age, and perceived risk to society, sometimes overshadowing the severity of the original crime. One upcoming case involves David McClary, a gang member convicted in the 1988 murder of rookie NYPD officer Edward Byrne in Queens. If McClary gets out, he’ll be the 44th cop killer granted parole.
Parole hearings are conducted by panels of three board members, selected randomly. They do these hearings virtually, and the victim’s families can’t even attend. Instead, the victim impact statements are read by a board member, and the general public is kept in the dark about the decisions unless they file a Freedom of Information Law request.
The board is short of its full 19-member capacity, with only 16 active members. Activist groups are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to fill the remaining spots. Five of Hochul’s picks are currently serving, including former Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns, who became chair in 2023.
Some of Hochul’s nominees have faced pushback. In 2023, she put forward four names, including two former probation officers and an ex-NYPD official. The Senate’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus wasn’t thrilled, saying the nominees were too aligned with traditional law enforcement. All but Ernest F. Hart, a former NYPD Chief Legal Officer, got confirmed.
Another of Hochul’s picks, Brandon Stradford from Staten Island, didn’t last long. Reports say he missed meetings and was caught snoozing on the job, though he declined to comment on these claims. Independent mayoral candidate and former federal prosecutor Jim Walden criticized the board’s makeup, calling it unbalanced.
Walden noted, “It’s a glaring hole — skewing the balance of experience to the left on every parole decision.” He pointed out that few members have any real-world experience in law enforcement, like patrolling neighborhoods. Gov. Hochul’s office hasn’t said much about these criticisms, despite being asked repeatedly.
Former Gov. Cuomo’s spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, defended the appointments, saying, “This is an independent board whose members have a variety of backgrounds.” He also emphasized that all appointees had been confirmed by the state Senate.
In New York, parole board members are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, allowing them to stay on past their official term until a replacement is found.
Brittany Mays is a dedicated mother and passionate conservative news and opinion writer. With a sharp eye for current events and a commitment to traditional values, Brittany delivers thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping today’s world. Balancing her role as a parent with her love for writing, she strives to inspire others with her insights on faith, family, and freedom.
