Criminal Justice (Corrections)

failed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 9072: Establishes a digital legal mail program

Establishes a digital legal mail program for the delivery of privileged correspondences to incarcerated individuals housed at correctional facilities; requires law offices sending legal mail via digital platforms to incarcerated individuals to register with the department of corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables digital legal mail for incarcerated individuals, facilitating attorney-client communication and promoting fair legal processes in correctional facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2132: Establishes a job fair pilot program

This bill creates a 3-year pilot program to help incarcerated individuals in Wende and New York City correctional facilities find employment within six months of release. It requires holding at least three job fairs annually at these facilities, offering resume help, interview coaching, and connections to potential employers. Incarcerated people at Albion, Taconic, and Bedford facilities are excluded from the pilot but will receive alternative job search support. The program mandates annual evaluations tracking job placements, attendee numbers, and recidivism rates, with public reports to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes post-release employment support to reduce recidivism, a key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates job fairs and support services for incarcerated individuals to transition to employment, advancing employment standards and reducing barriers for a vulnerable workforce group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8331: Requires disciplinary hearings for incarcerated individuals to be recorded

Requires disciplinary hearings for incarcerated individuals to be recorded with both audio and visual components; requires such recordings to be preserved; directs the commissioner of the department of corrections and community supervision to promulgate rules and regulations for who can access such recordings and when such recordings can be accessed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires recording of disciplinary hearings for incarcerated individuals to enhance transparency and accountability in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8249: Prohibits the obscuring of body-worn or stationary cameras in correctional institutions

Prohibits employees of the department of corrections and community supervision or a correctional facility from willfully obstructing, blocking or otherwise obscuring a body-worn or stationary camera from recording activities within a correctional facility for the purpose of hindering an existing or potential investigation, concealing a crime or criminal activity, or concealing otherwise unlawful behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits obstruction of correctional facility cameras to enhance transparency and accountability, directly strengthening oversight in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 6389: Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to study gender disparity in resources provided to incarcerated individuals

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to study gender disparity in resources provided to incarcerated individuals and make a report to the governor and the legislature of the findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies gender disparity in correctional resources, aiming to inform equitable policy changes aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5955: Authorizes a study by the department of corrections and community supervision pertaining to the treatment of aging prison populations

Bill A 5955 authorizes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to conduct a study on the treatment and conditions of aging prison populations. The study will profile current elderly incarcerated individuals, project future populations, and analyze factors contributing to their growth. It also requires an assessment of the adequacy of specialized housing, medical care, and programs provided to older prisoners, including training for corrections officers and facility oversight. DOCCS must report its findings, conclusions, and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature within one year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes study to assess aging inmates' care adequacy, aiming to improve correctional conditions and inform potential reforms in corrections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5016: Creates a temporary state commission to study sexual misconduct in state correctional facilities

Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate sexual misconduct in state correctional facilities among incarcerated individuals and employees; devises a reporting system for notification of such misconduct to appropriate authorities; establishes duties and membership of such commission.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates commission to study sexual misconduct in prisons, establishing reporting system to improve oversight and accountability in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5304: Relates to investigation of incidents of bodily injury or harm to incarcerated individuals

Requires DOCCS' office of special investigations to send a representative of such office in-person to confirm any reported incident of bodily injury or harm to an incarcerated individual no later than 5 days after receiving such report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely in-person investigation of inmate injuries, enhancing oversight in corrections to protect incarcerated individuals' rights and ensure accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 109: Prohibits persons convicted of murder or sentenced to life without parole from being eligible for commutation of sentence

Prohibits persons convicted of murder or sentenced to life without parole or where the defendant acting either alone or with one or more other persons, commits or attempts to commit robbery, burglary, kidnapping, arson, rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse, escape in the first degree, or escape in the second degree, and, in the course of and in furtherance of such crime or of immediate flight therefrom, such defendant, or another participant, if there be any, intentionally causes the death of: a police officer; a peace officer; a firefighter, emergency medical technician, ambulance driver, paramedic, physician or registered nurse involved in a first response team, or any other individual who, in the course of official duties, performs emergency response; or an employee of a state correctional institution or was an employee of a local correctional facility, when such person was engaged in the course of performing their official duties, from being eligible for commutation of sentence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits commutation for violent crimes like murder and robbery, restricting sentence reduction and opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 1050: Relates to allowing telephone calls prior to an incarcerated individual's transfer

This bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to allow incarcerated individuals to make at least one free phone call to family or a chosen contact immediately before being transferred to a new facility, and another within 24 hours of arrival at the new facility. It applies directly to incarcerated people and their families or designated representatives. Exceptions only apply when making a call would create an unacceptable risk to safety or security, and the department must document such denials in writing. The law aims to maintain family connections during transfers while prioritizing facility safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows family communication during transfers, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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