by Robert Gavin
Buffalo News
July 31, 2025

ALBANY – The state Board of Parole unanimously voted Monday to repeal its existing regulations for the release of criminal offenders under age 18 and proposed new language to give “great weight” to the characteristics of youths that include their psychology and brain function.

… The proposed changes allow the parole board, which is part of the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, to consider the diminished capacity of youths, as opposed to adults, due to the “ongoing development in a youth’s psychology and brain function.” Parole board members could consider a youth’s limited control over their own environment, their limited capacity to extricate themselves from dysfunctional or crime-producing environments and diminished susceptibility to deterrence.

… Jeffrey Butts, executive director of the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay, said the board clearly received professional guidance for the characteristics of adolescence and behavior. “All the language they are using is right on the money,” he said. Still, Butts said he was concerned that there was no compelling requirement for DOCCS to implement the possible changes. And he said there was no reason to limit the factors being considered to prisoners up to age 18. He said the same characteristics apply to people into their early 20s.

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