Restructuring of Erie County Reentry Services and Support Alliance (ECRSSA)

Criticized the closure and restructuring of ECRSSA, citing its high success rate and low recidivism compared to county probation.

Urged council to reconsider the hasty vote moving ECRSSA under probation, noting its proven independent success.

Stressed the importance of meeting decorum, transparency, and safe environments for public engagement.

Explained the sequential intercept model, warning that placing voluntary reentry under parole turns support into compliance.

Expressed concern over ECRSSA's absorption into parole, potential HIPAA violations, and loss of lived-experience staff.

Warned that housing reentry under probation increases recidivism by conflating support services with law enforcement.

Shared his personal background as a former life-sentence inmate and senior case manager at ECRSSA, urging council to respect human dignity.