The Legal Aid Society and parole reform advocates across the state are pressing New York lawmakers to pass the “Less is More” Act – legislation that would eliminate incarceration for most technical parole violations, as reported by THE CITY.

Lorraine Mc Evilley, Director of the Parole Revocation Defense Unit at The Legal Aid Society, illustrated the effects of the state’s regressive and punitive technical parole violation policy with the case of her client Eugene Terrell – a paraplegic weakened by health complications who was sent back to Riker’s Island after he was caught with a small amount of marijuana used to treat pain. He was eventually released due to his medical condition.

“Mr. Terrell’​s case, ​which involves only non-criminal technical violations, is a microcosm of New York’s punitive parole system” said Mc Evilley, “one that prioritizes punishment over supporting our clients’ successful transition back to their families and communities.”