April 3, 2025 — Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III announced on March 31 a plan to move incarcerated individuals to “residential treatment outcount” status – meaning out of correctional facilities and into the community.
The move comes as prisons face a staggering staffing crisis in the wake of the wildcat strike by corrections’ officers across the state.
“This will have an enormous impact on our parole officers’ caseloads,” said President Wayne Spence. “PEF will be closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds to ensure our members are treated fairly and safely.”
To be eligible for early release, individuals cannot be serving an A-1 or A-2 non-drug offense, a class B through E violent felony offense, or a sex offense, and they must have an identified approved residence, which is not a shelter or social services placement.
Individuals must be within 15 to 110 days of an approved release date and must report to their assigned parole office for initial intake within 24 hours. Individuals will be supervised by their assigned parole officer at a COMPAS 1 supervision level, until the time of their release date. Upon reaching their release date, the individual will be evaluated and assigned to a caseload that is appropriate for their individual case and circumstances.
The memo calls for lists of eligible incarcerated individuals to be submitted to DOCCS no later than Noon on April 4.