Youngmi Lee testifies on PSI recommendations and access to counsel during probation interviews
Youngmi Lee of Brooklyn Defender Services says DOP can influence sentencing through pre-sentence investigation reports and often recommends jail or prison despite promised probation. She asks DOP to allow attorneys to attend probation interviews without a court order and to stop encouraging clients to deny guilt.
I think it's a collaborative approach.
It shouldn't be just a vendor.
It should be probation also in partnership.
Thank you.
This panel is now dismissed.
I appreciate the testimony and the responses today.
I now open the hearing for public testimony.
I remind members of the public that this is a government proceeding and that decorum shall be observed at all times.
As such, members of the public shall remain silent at all times.
The witness table is reserved for people who wish to testify.
No video recording or photography is allowed from the witness table.
Further, members of the public may not present audio or video recordings as testimony, but may submit transcripts of such recordings to the Sergeant at Arms for inclusion in the hearing record.
If you wish to speak at today's hearing, please fill out an appearance card with the Sergeant at Arms and wait to be recognized.
When recognized, you will have two minutes to speak on today's hearing topic, the organizational strategy of the Department of Probation.
If you have...
A written statement or additional written testimony you wish to submit for the record, please provide a copy of that testimony to the sergeant at arms.
You may also email written testimony to testimony at council.nyc.gov within 72 hours of the close of this hearing.
Audio and video recordings will not be accepted.
For in-person panelists, please come up to the table once your name has been called.
Now I'll call our first in-person panel.
Delvaney Powell, Natalie Peoples-Stokes, and Young Mealy.
I said it right?
Okay.
And when you're ready, you can just come off and mute and get started.
You get started whenever you want.
Just come off of mute.
We've already agreed on who will speak first.
Good morning, everyone.
My name is Youngmi Lee.