Parole is intended to build safety inside and outside prisons by disincentivizing misconduct during incarceration and allowing people who pose a minimal safety risk to return home and connect with their families, communities, and employers. New York’s parole release rate has declined, falling from a 42 percent release rate in 2018 to 37 percent in 2023.

Every year in New York State, thousands of people appear before the parole board to make their case for release. In making their release decisions, commissioners have immense discretion. In light of the often subjective nature of parole denials, data transparency is particularly important to help elected officials, advocates, and members of the public hold the Board of Parole accountable for fair, equitable release decisions.