Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6456: Expands prison work release program eligibility and participation

Bill S 6456 expands eligibility for incarcerated individuals to participate in prison work release programs by extending the required proximity to parole or conditional release. Most participants will now be eligible three years, instead of two, prior to release, and those with certain violent offenses will be eligible thirty months, up from eighteen. The bill also extends this three-year eligibility to individuals convicted of homicide offenses related to domestic abuse by the victim. Furthermore, it prohibits the governor from issuing executive orders to exclude classes of otherwise eligible individuals and adds aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual to the list of ineligible offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands work release eligibility to enhance rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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died · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 7117: Authorizes the correctional association to inspect residential juvenile detention facilities

S 7117 authorizes New York's Correctional Association to inspect all types of juvenile detention facilities - including secure, non-secure, and residential divisions - operated by the Office of Children and Family Services. The bill requires unannounced facility visits, review of incident reports, and immediate reporting of suspected abuse to relevant agencies. It also mandates annual public reports on facility conditions and establishes a confidential hotline for youth to report maltreatment, with Prisoners' Legal Services empowered to represent affected youth. The law directly affects juveniles in detention, facility operators, and oversight bodies, focusing on transparency and safety without altering facility operations or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes inspections, abuse reporting, and public transparency in juvenile facilities, enhancing oversight and youth protection within corrections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7414: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill (A 7414) prohibits detention facilities in New York from placing children in "segregated confinement" for more than 17 hours a day. It defines segregated confinement as cell confinement exceeding 17 hours daily, excluding facility-wide emergencies or medical/mental health treatment. The law applies to all detention facilities holding children under the Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law. Exceptions allow room confinement authorized by regulations when a child poses an immediate danger to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts youth solitary confinement in detention, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect child detainees' rights and reduce harmful practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prolonged segregated confinement (harmful to mental health) and explicitly allows exceptions for mental health treatment, protecting children's mental well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3885: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill prohibits detention facilities from placing children in "segregated confinement" (cell confinement for more than 17 hours daily) under any circumstances, except during facility-wide emergencies or for medical/mental health treatment. It directly affects children detained under New York's Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law who are held in certified detention facilities. The law defines "segregated confinement" specifically and excludes room confinement authorized by the Office of Children and Family Services when a child poses a serious immediate danger to themselves or others. The bill amends the Family Court Act and Executive Law to implement this ban, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits harmful solitary confinement of minors in detention, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting vulnerable populations and aligning with rehabilitation-focused policies.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly permits mental health treatment as an exception to segregation, supporting access to mental health services for detained children.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1956: Requires mental health services for incarcerated individuals with mental health issues related to the trauma of incarceration

Requires mental health services for incarcerated individuals with mental health issues related to the trauma of incarceration upon reentry and reintegration into society upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health services for incarcerated individuals upon reentry, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health services for incarcerated individuals upon release, directly supporting mental health care access as per bill's explicit requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1285: Relates to jury deliberations

S 1285, the "Tiarah Poyau Act," allows juries in criminal trials to request written instructions about legal requirements (such as offense elements or defenses) during deliberations. The bill requires courts to provide these written instructions upon request, after giving attorneys a chance to review and comment on them. This change aims to clarify legal standards for juries without altering substantive law. It directly affects juries, judges, and defense/prosecution attorneys in criminal cases. The bill passed the Senate in April 2025 and is now in the Assembly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies jury instructions in criminal trials to prevent errors, aligning with fair trial protections and criminal justice reform goals without altering substantive law.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 392: Relates to aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual

This bill (S 392) amends New York's penal law to specifically include "intentional expectoration of saliva" as a form of aggravated harassment against facility employees. It directly affects incarcerated individuals who intentionally spit at staff members in correctional facilities, parole offices, mental health facilities, or probation departments. The key change adds saliva to the list of prohibited substances (along with blood, urine, etc.) that can constitute harassment when thrown, tossed, or expelled toward employees. This expands existing protections for staff by clarifying that spitting is now explicitly covered under the aggravated harassment statute.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds saliva to prohibited harassment acts against facility staff in corrections, strengthening security protocols and staff protection within criminal justice facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects facility staff by criminalizing saliva as harassment, enhancing workplace safety for employees in correctional settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1573: Establishes a pilot project for the placement of incarcerated individuals close to home

Establishes a pilot project for placement of incarcerated individuals close to home; provides that such project would house incarcerated individuals who are parents of minor children in the correctional facility located in closest proximity to the primary place of residence of any such incarcerated individual's minor child or children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes family reunification for incarcerated parents by placing them near children, reducing recidivism through maintained family ties - a criminal justice reform measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7173: Provides for the return of fines, restitution and reparation payments where there was an unjust conviction

Provides for the return of fines, restitution and reparation payments and any interest thereon where a defendant is subsequently pardoned upon the ground of innocence or the conviction is reversed or vacated.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill returns fines/restitution for unjust convictions, directly protecting civil rights and correcting systemic errors in criminal justice outcomes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4093: Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"

Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"; establishes standards for court interpreters and a procedure for waiver of a non-English speaking person's right to an interpreter in any proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes interpreter standards to ensure language access for non-English speakers in court, protecting defendant rights and advancing fair criminal justice access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill establishes standards for court interpreters for non-English speaking persons, which protects the rights and access to justice for immigrants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Immigrant Services

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