Recognizing Second Chance Month in the State of New York, and recognizing the profound health impacts of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities

Senate Resolution No. 2106

BY: Senator BRISPORT

        RECOGNIZING  Second  Chance  Month in the State of
        New York, and recognizing the profound mental health
        impacts of incarceration on  individuals,  families,
        and communities

  WHEREAS,  The State of New York is committed to promoting the health
and well-being of all its residents; and

  WHEREAS, Mental health is an essential component of overall  health,
affecting  individuals'  ability  to  lead  fulfilling  lives,  maintain
relationships, and contribute to their communities; and

  WHEREAS, Second Chance Month has been observed each April since 2017
to bring awareness to the multitude of  barriers  formerly  incarcerated
individuals face during the process of reentry, especially those related
to mental health; and

  WHEREAS,  Incarceration  has  been  shown to have severe and lasting
psychological effects, including increased rates of depression, anxiety,
post-traumatic stress, and other mental health challenges; and

  WHEREAS,  Isolation,  exposure  to  violence,   family   separation,
uncertainty, and restricted access to adequate healthcare can exacerbate
existing mental health conditions and contribute to new ones; and

  WHEREAS,  Solitary confinement and prolonged isolation in particular
have been widely documented to cause significant psychological harm; and

  WHEREAS, The mental health impacts of  incarceration  extend  beyond
those   directly   incarcerated,   affecting   families,  children,  and
communities, and contributing to cycles of trauma and instability; and

  WHEREAS, Formerly incarcerated individuals  often  face  significant
barriers to accessing mental health care upon reentry, including stigma,
lack of insurance coverage, and limited continuity of care; and

  WHEREAS,  Addressing the mental health consequences of incarceration
is essential  to  advancing  public  health,  reducing  recidivism,  and
promoting successful reintegration; and

  WHEREAS,  New  York  State  has  an ongoing responsibility to ensure
humane  conditions  of  confinement,  expand  access  to  mental  health
services,  and  invest  in alternatives to incarceration that prioritize
treatment and support; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
recognize   the   significant   mental  health  trauma  associated  with
incarceration and calls for increased awareness and research to  address
these  harms,  so  that  New  York  State can truly embody the spirit of
Second Chance Month; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Silent Cry, Inc.