Senate Passes Bill To Reduce Early Release Of Violent Criminals

The state Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit a violent felony offender from being released from prison early if there is convincing evidence that such an inmate would be an imminent threat to society.

The legislation was sponsored by Senator Joseph Griffo.

Griffo introduced the bill in response to the 2011 sexual assault and murder of Linda Tuner at a North Utica motel. Tuner was killed by convicted rapist Robert Blainey, who had been released from prison early despite his own admission that "society is safer with me in prison."

Although the State Board of Parole believed that Blainey should not have been released from prison, the board did not have the legal authority to hold him any longer.

The bill will now be considered by the Assembly.