Osborne Association Statement on Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address

Archana Jayaram, President and CEO of Osborne Association, a nonprofit committed to transforming the criminal legal system and supporting those it impacts, issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Address:

“New York State continues to evolve into a national trendsetter, transforming our criminal legal system to model empathy, care, and true justice. The Governor’s agenda furthers that important work.

Effective reform of New York’s criminal legal system is impossible without significant investments in mental health services and community-led gun violence prevention programs throughout the state. Alternatives to incarceration provided through proven community- and youth-led initiatives to heal and address harms, promote well-being, change behaviors, and reduce violence are critical solutions that organizations like Osborne have supported and delivered for decades. We also support efforts to change the narrative on gun violence that contribute to stereotypes and racial injustice.

The Governor’s commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities across the state should include people ensnared in the criminal legal system, who face unique barriers when accessing affordable housing. The vast majority of people reentering society after incarceration cite the lack of safe, affordable housing as a primary concern for them and their families. Osborne has grown its reentry and supportive housing portfolio to meet these urgent needs, including a focus on older adults consistent with the Governor’s commitment to an “age-friendly NY.” It is critical that the state address the housing needs of people and communities impacted by the criminal legal system in the enacted budget and housing incentive program.

Mass incarceration continues to destroy countless lives through punitive policing, harsh sentencing, and inhumane conditions in jails and prisons. Where the Governor’s agenda looks to solve the upstream social and health conditions that precede crime, Osborne Association is proud to support it. We encourage every elected official to support new investments in our state’s mental health system, alternatives to incarceration, and fair housing for all.

We welcome the opportunity to partner with the state as practitioners with decades of experience and deep connections to the community we serve. Together, we are excited to build a better New York where every community is strong, healthy, and safe.

About Osborne Association:

Osborne Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system and supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by incarceration. Through advocacy, direct service, and policy reform, Osborne works to create opportunities for people to heal, grow, and thrive. For more information, please visit www.osborneny.org.

###