A convicted sex offender’s claim that New York state failed to offer adequate help to find appropriate housing before his release date—a failure that resulted in his extended confinement—was dismissed Tuesday by the New York Court of Appeals.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore wrote in the court’s opinion that the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision fulfilled its statutory obligation to help Miguel Gonzalez find a place he could legally reside that complied with his status as a sex offender before his release.