Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 403: Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons

Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons by the governor; requires the governor to provide: a written notification that the application has been received; a receipt number that the applicant can then use to check on the applicant's application status; guidelines for supplementing the application with additional or updated information; and a notification when a decision is made on the application; requires quarterly reports to the legislature regarding reprieves, commutations and pardons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes transparent pardon process with notifications, reports, and accessibility, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system without altering substantive policies.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5804: Relates to medical parole

Relates to medical parole and determinations of whether a person released on medical parole is physically or cognitively incapable of presenting a danger to society.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes criteria for medical parole releases, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary incarceration of non-dangerous individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics 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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 889: Relates to appeals of parole determination

Relates to appeals of parole determination, including parole release interviews, parole decisions by the board and petitions regarding release decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes appeal process for parole decisions, protecting defendant rights and due process within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3652: Relates to the modification of the procedure for interviews of parole applicants and to the disclosure of parole applicant records

This bill (A 3652) modifies New York State parole procedures for applicants. It requires parole boards to conduct in-person interviews with applicants at least three months before hearings (up from one month), record these interviews, and provide applicants access to their full parole files one month prior. The bill mandates detailed written explanations for parole denials, specifies a 24-month reconsideration timeline, and clarifies disclosure rules for mental health records (only withholding if disclosure would cause substantial harm). It directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole, ensuring greater transparency and procedural clarity in their release process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances parole transparency and applicant rights through mandatory in-person interviews, file access, detailed denial explanations, and clearer mental health disclosure rules - aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7880: Requires the state to pay for independent autopsies of incarcerated individuals who die in custody

Requires the state to pay for independent autopsies at the request of the next of kin of incarcerated individuals who die in the custody of the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires state-funded independent autopsies for custody deaths, enhancing oversight and accountability in corrections - key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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