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(WNY News Now) – MAYVILLE, NY – Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. is voicing strong opposition to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s (DOCCS) decision to release convicted felons early, calling it a “shortsighted and dangerous” move that puts communities at risk.
Wendel is urging Governor Kathy Hochul and state officials to reconsider the policy and focus instead on long-term solutions that strengthen public safety. He advocates for reinstating corrections officers who were terminated, repealing laws such as the HALT Act—legislation he says favors offenders over safety—and ensuring correctional facilities are adequately staffed.
The HALT Act, which limits the use of solitary confinement in New York prisons, has drawn criticism from law enforcement officials who argue it restricts their ability to manage violent offenders. Wendel contends that policies prioritizing early release over accountability put residents in danger.
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