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.
Darryl C. Towns, Chairman
Chairman Darryl C. Towns joined the Board in 2022, as the first member appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul. He comes to the Board from American Airlines, serving as Regional Director of Government Affairs.
His previous state service consists of Commissioner and CEO for New York State’s Homes and Community Renewal agency from 2011-2015. Prior to that, he served as a New York State Assemblymember for the 54th district from 1993 – 2011.
During that tenure he spent time as Chair to the Banking, Veterans, Small Business and Science and Technology Committees, as well as the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Legislative Caucus.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and he is a veteran of the United States Air Force, in which he served from 1981-1986.
Board Members
The Board of Parole consists of 14 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
Updated January
Member |
Originally Appointed By |
Date of Original Confirmation |
Reappointment |
Term Expires |
Home Office |
Darryl Towns |
Hon. Kathy Hochul |
June 2, 2022 |
|
December 31, 2025 |
NYC |
Joseph P. Crangle |
Hon. David A. Paterson |
June 19, 2008 |
June 20, 2014 |
June 16, 2020 |
Buffalo |
Marc Coppola |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2012 |
June 16, 2015 |
June 18, 2021 |
Buffalo |
Otis Cruse |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 16, 2015 |
June 19, 2017 |
July 6, 2023 |
NYC |
Tana Agostini |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 19, 2017 |
|
August 31, 2019 |
Albany |
Erik Berliner |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 19, 2017 |
|
June 18, 2022 |
Albany |
Tyece Drake |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 19, 2017 |
|
August 31, 2019 |
Albany |
Caryne Demosthenes |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 19, 2017 |
|
June 2, 2023 |
NYC |
Charles Davis |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 21, 2017 |
|
August 31, 2019 |
Albany |
Michael Corley |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2019 |
|
June 18, 2023 |
NYC |
Chanwoo Lee |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2019 |
|
July 7, 2023 |
NYC |
Sheila Samuels |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2019 |
|
February 2, 2023 |
NYC |
Carlton Mitchell |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2019 |
|
June 18, 2024 |
Albany |
Elsie Segarra |
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo |
June 20, 2019 |
|
June 18, 2024 |
NYC |
Business Meeting Schedule
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 will conduct its next monthly business meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 1:00pm. Said meeting shall take place at the New York State Training Academy of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision located at 1134 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY, 12208 as well as Community Supervision offices at 460 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 and 314 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. Please be advised, participation at the Buffalo and Manhattan locations are subject to change. To confirm availability of participation at these locations please call the Board of Parole at 518-473-4069.
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:
April Monday, April 24th
May Monday, May 22nd
June Monday, June 26th
July Monday, July 31st
August Monday, August 28th
September Monday, September 25th
October Monday, October 23rd
November Monday, November 27th
December Monday, December TBD
Said business meetings may be adjourned from time to time as necessary.
Darryl Towns, Chairman
Board of Parole
March 27, 2023 Business Meeting
March 6, 2023 Business Meeting
January 2023 Parole Board Public Business Meeting Agenda
December 2022 Board of Parole Business Meeting Agenda
November 2022 Board of Parole Business Meting Agenda
October 21, 2022 Business Meeting
September 26, 2022 Business Meeting
August 22, 2022 Business Meeting
June 27, 2022 Business Meeting
May 2, 2022 Business Meeting
March 28, 2022 Business Meeting
February 28, 2022 Business Meeting
February 7, 2022 Special Meeting
February 7, 2022 Board of Parole Special Meeting Webcast
View the proposed Board of Parole Regulations relating to the Special Session here.
January 31, 2022 Business Meeting
November 22, 2021 Business Meeting
September 20, 2021 Business Meeting Webcast
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