History of Parole
The former Division of Parole was established in the Executive Department on July 1, 1930. At that time, a full-time Board of Parole comprised of three members was created and paroling functions for all the State prisons were transferred from the Department of Corrections to the Division of Parole. The training schools, correctional institutions for mentally disabled prisoners, and the women's reformatory maintained separate parole systems until 1945 when parole was consolidated throughout the state.
In 1967, the New York State legislature passed legislation establishing authority for the Board of Parole to grant conditional release of parole to persons under definite sentences and to persons incarcerated in local reformatories. This legislation also provided for the transfer of duties and functions of the New York City Parole Commission to the New York State Division of Parole.
On January 1, 1971, the Division of Parole was consolidated with the Department of Corrections to form the Department of Correctional Services (DOCS). This merger was based on the premise that a coordinated effort of institutional and community supervision of convicted offenders would be more effective in reducing recidivism.
Parole remained part of DOCS until January 1, 1978, when the Division was once again placed in the Executive Department as a separate agency through the Parole Reform Act of 1977. In addition to reestablishing the Division as a separate agency, the 1977 legislation mandated the formal adoption of Parole Guidelines designed to structure the Parole Board's decisions concerning the minimum period of imprisonment and the granting or denying of parole release.
In 2011, the New York State Department of Corrections and the New York State Division of Parole merged to form a new agency, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). As a result of this merger, the New York State Board of Parole is now part of DOCCS with independent decision and rule making authority regarding the powers and duties as described in Article 12-B of the Executive Law.
Mission
To ensure public safety by granting community supervision when appropriate under the governing standards, revoking community supervision when necessary, and discharging individuals from their sentence when it is in the best interest of society.
Core Services
The New York State Board of Parole is responsible for discretionary release, parole conditions, and revocations, as well as receiving victim impact statements and clemency recommendations.
Chairwoman Stanford's Biography
TINA M. STANFORD, ESQ.
Chairwoman, New York State Board of Parole
In 2013, Tina M. Stanford, Esq. was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve as Chairwoman of the New York State Board of Parole.
A native of Buffalo, Chairwoman Stanford served on the Bar Foundation of Erie County and other community boards. She graduated from Fordham University’s Honors Program and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School where she later taught Trial Technique.
She is admitted to practice law in New York State and in the United States Western District Court.
During her career, Chairwoman Stanford has worked with thousands of people who have been harmed, accused, and convicted who seek justice and restoration. As an Erie County Assistant District Attorney for 14 years, she handled thousands of cases in the city court, grand jury, domestic violence, sexual assault, felony trial and appeals bureaus.
Prior to serving as Chairwoman of the Parole Board, she was Chairwoman of the New York State Crime Victims Board and then its Director after the agency was reorganized and renamed the Office of Victim Services. Under both titles, she led the agency in assisting thousands of crime victims and/or their family members, and in funding hundreds of crime victim advocate positions throughout the state.
Chairwoman Stanford has also served on the Violence Against Women Act Advisory Committee, the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, the Disaster Preparedness Commission, the Domestic Violence Advisory Council, and on two Sentencing Commissions.
Board Members
The Board of Parole consists of 15 members. Each member is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for a six-year term. One member is designated by the Governor to serve as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Division. A brief biography of the Board of Parole members can be found here.
BOARD MEMBERS
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Business Meeting Schedule
IMPORTANT UPDATE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF PAROLE BOARD BUSINESS MEETINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to section 104 of the N.Y. Public Officers Law that the Board of Parole meeting Scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2021 at 1:00pm is CANCELLED.
Thereafter, the Board of Parole shall commence at 1:00 p.m., in the afternoon its monthly business meetings in a manner to be determined, on the following dates:
August Monday – August 23rd
September Monday – September 20th
October Monday – October 18th
November Monday – November 15th
December Monday – December NONE
Said business meetings may be adjourned from time to time as necessary.
Tina M. Stanford, Chairwoman Board of Parole
June 21, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
May 24, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
April 19, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
March 22, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
February 22, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
January 25, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
November 24, 2020 Business Meeting Webcast
October 19, 2020 Business Meeting Webcast
August 24, 2020 Business Meeting Webcast
February 24, 2020 Business Meeting Webcast
January 27, 2020 Business Meeting Webcast
December 9, 2019 Business Meeting Webcast
October 21, 2019 Business Meeting Webcast
September 23, 2019 Business Meeting Webcast
Contact Information
Mailing Address
New York State Board of Parole
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12226
Phone
518-486-5477