Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3688: Relates to expanding prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill amends New York's correction law to adjust eligibility for prison work release programs. It expands eligibility to include incarcerated individuals within two years of parole eligibility (previously limited to 18 months for some), while maintaining exclusions for those convicted of specific violent crimes, sex offenses, or certain drug offenses. Key provisions require commissioner approval for participation in work release for individuals convicted of offenses involving deadly weapons, serious physical injury, or forcible compulsion, and explicitly bars participation for those sentenced for aggravated murder, rape, or other serious sexual offenses. The changes directly affect incarcerated individuals in New York state prisons seeking work release opportunities, with eligibility determined by offense type and time served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands work release eligibility (2 years vs 18 months), promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism within criminal justice reform framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6553: Relates to comprehensive services to individuals with a persistent pattern of involvement in the New York city criminal justice system

Directs the New York city mayor's office of criminal justice to provide comprehensive services to 9,000 individuals identified as having a persistent pattern of involvement in the New York city criminal justice system; provides that income from vocational programs shall not be considered for purposes of determining public assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides vocational services to reduce recidivism, ensuring income from programs doesn't affect public assistance eligibility95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5087: Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to create a family reunion program

Requires the department of corrections and community supervision to create a family reunion program to provide eligible incarcerated individuals and their families the opportunity to meet for an extended period of time in a residential setting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates family reunion program to maintain family bonds, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support in corrections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7176: Requires certain justices and judges to visit the correctional facility with the highest population in the county in which such justice or judge was elected or appointed

Requires justices of the supreme court, judges of the county court and judges of the court of claims, regularly sitting in a criminal term or in a term with criminal as well as civil jurisdiction to visit the correctional facility with the highest population of incarcerated individuals in the county in which such justice is appointed or elected within two years of such appointment or election and every two years thereafter; requires a report on the conditions of such correctional facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judges to visit correctional facilities and report conditions, enhancing oversight and promoting transparency for potential criminal justice reforms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5137: Requires the prosecution to disclose to the defendant certain information relating to jailhouse informants; requires prosecutors to notify victims of the informant's crimes in certain circumstances

Requires the prosecution to disclose to defense counsel certain information relating to jailhouse informants; requires prosecutors to notify victims of the informant's crimes if the prosecutor has offered the informant a benefit in exchange for testimony or other cooperation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of jailhouse informant info to defendants, enhancing transparency and defendant rights in criminal proceedings, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1806: Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to certain peer support advocates based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration

Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to peer support advocates who are certified or licensed and are participating in the provision of corrections-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes barriers for formerly incarcerated peer advocates in correctional facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism through expanded access to substance use treatment services.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables peer support for substance use disorder treatment in correctional facilities by removing barriers based on prior incarceration, improving access to mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5078: Relates to reporting voting rates for parole commissioners

S 5078 requires the State Board of Parole to include in its annual report the specific release voting rate for each individual parole commissioner when reviewing applicants for community supervision or deportation. This mandates tracking and reporting how often each commissioner votes to release people appearing before the board, broken down by demographic categories like age, gender, race, and ethnicity. The bill directly affects parole commissioners (who make release decisions) and the State Board of Parole (which compiles the report). It adds this transparency measure to existing reporting requirements without changing parole eligibility or procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in parole commissioners' voting rates with demographic breakdowns, enhancing oversight of release decisions within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5317: Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data

Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCollects demographic data for incarcerated individuals in MAT programs to improve rehabilitation access and address disparities, advancing criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 440: Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals

Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals; authorizes polling places to be available at correctional facilities and local facilities; requires such facilities to provide persons detained or confined in such facilities access to register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot; requires voting information to be included in the inmate handbook.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables voting access for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Tags Elections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 17, 2026

A 9253: Relates to disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence by law enforcement agencies

Requires policing agencies to conduct an inventory of, and develop a publicly-available policy for, any artificial intelligence used to aid criminal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public policy on AI use in policing, enhancing transparency and accountability - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates transparency and policy for AI use by law enforcement, promoting accountability and digital rights in the application of technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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