NYC S*x Offender Peter Braunstein Says He Would ‘Kill People’ if Freed Under Parole Reform

Imprisoned New York s*x offender Peter Braunstein has warned that releasing inmates like him under proposed state parole reforms could pose a public safety risk, saying in a letter that he would commit violent acts if he were freed. His comments have renewed debate over two parole reform bills being considered in Albany.

Braunstein, a former fashion writer serving an 18-years-to-life sentence at Wende Correctional Facility in upstate Alden, made the remarks in a handwritten letter to The Post. “If I was let out tomorrow I’d be reincarcerated in short order because all I’d do is kill people,” he wrote.

Peter Braunstein Says Prison Is Where He Belongs

Braunstein, 62, said he does not want to be released and argued that remaining in prison is the safest option. “The only way I’m leaving prison is in a body bag,” Braunstein wrote in the three-page letter.

“Prison is where I deserve to be,” he wrote. He added that he prefers incarceration because it separates him from a society he said he dislikes. “This may seem hard to believe and is certainly not the typical inmate position, but when I committed my crimes in 05 I was done with the world and I have consistently maintained that position ever since,” said Braunstein. “Prison isn’t just where I deserve to be, it’s where I want to be because it separates me from a world I loathe.”

Braunstein’s comments come as lawmakers in New York consider two parole-related measures: the Elder Parole bill and the Fair and Timely Parole bill. The Elder Parole bill would allow people aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to receive parole hearings, including those convicted of violent crimes.

The Fair and Timely Parole bill would require the state Parole Board to consider releasing eligible inmates unless they are determined to be a current danger to the public. Critics of the proposals argue that the changes could lead to the release of people convicted of serious crimes.

Former Parole Board Commissioner and state Sen. Marc Coppola criticised the proposed reforms, saying they could result in the release of inmates convicted of violent crimes.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of murderers released. . . . murderers and s*x offenders, and assuredly some criminals who have committed the most heinous crimes in New York. . . . I’m talking about guys like [John Lennon’s murderer] Mark David Chapman and the Son of Sam [serial killer David Berkowitz],” Coppola said.

“And the difference between the two bills is some of them will actually be released earlier than their minimum, and that alone, I think, is very very wrong,” he said. “It’s disrespectful to the victim and the victims’ families.”

Braunstein previously had a parole hearing but did not appear, resulting in a denial. He is scheduled to appear before the board again next year.

Braunstein’s Criminal History

Braunstein gained national attention in 2005 after impersonating a firefighter to enter the Chelsea apartment of a former colleague he was allegedly obsessed with. According to trial testimony, he assaulted the woman for more than 13 hours after gaining entry to the apartment. The victim testified about being restrained and threatened during the attack.

“He told me I was terrified,” the victim testified at his 2007 trial. She also said Braunstein claimed he had killed people and had a list of people who would die. Before leaving the apartment, Braunstein reportedly wrote a message on a mirror: “Bye — Hope things turn around for U soon.”

Braunstein’s statements have become part of a broader discussion over how New York balances rehabilitation, public safety and victims’ concerns in parole decisions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 11, 2026 07:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).