Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7029: Relates to expanding prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill expands eligibility for prison work release programs by adjusting who qualifies. It allows incarcerated individuals eligible for parole within two years (or 18 months for certain drug offenders) to participate, while maintaining exclusions for those convicted of escape, specific violent offenses (like aggravated harassment), or sex crimes. Key provisions include requiring 18 months served for second felony drug offenders and barring participation for individuals convicted of murder, rape, or persistent sexual abuse. The bill also mandates department reviews if parole is denied during participation and requires commissioner approval for certain high-risk cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands work release eligibility for non-violent offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 6481: Relates to commencing a study on the relationship between the corrections system and the child welfare system

This bill mandates a comprehensive study on the relationship between the corrections system and the child welfare system. The study will examine incarcerated individuals' prior involvement with child welfare and juvenile systems, including details like past foster care, age during placement, ethnicity, and gender. It requires the Commissioner to conduct surveys of a random sample of at least ten percent of individuals in state, county, and municipal correctional facilities. Participant confidentiality and informed consent are required for these surveys. A written report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations must be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study on corrections-child welfare system links to examine factors like foster care history, aiming to inform potential reforms that could reduce recidivism and improve systemic outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7215: Relates to the confinement of incarcerated individuals under the age of eighteen

This bill prohibits placing any incarcerated individual under 18 years old in segregated confinement under any circumstances. It directly affects minors in correctional facilities by banning this practice, which involves isolating individuals in separate cells. The key provision amends the correction law to explicitly state that "incarcerated individuals under the age of eighteen shall not be placed in segregated confinement for any reason," with limited exceptions referenced in the text. The policy change updates facility procedures to protect minors from this form of confinement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans solitary confinement for minors in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform and civil rights protection by prohibiting harmful isolation practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7857: Relates to polling places in detention facilities and the voting rights and status of incarcerated persons

Allows individuals detained in any correctional or local correctional facility to vote at polling places located within the facility if they are registered to vote and are otherwise eligible; provides for polling places within correctional facilities; provides for automatic changes in voter status; includes bi-partisan boards of elections officials and inspectors as persons who may visit correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows incarcerated individuals to vote in correctional facilities, advancing voting rights and criminal justice reform by restoring civil rights for detained persons.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4064: Enacts the "Michael K. Williams law" to establish a grant program to incentivize counties and municipalities to reduce prison populations

Enacts the "Michael K. Williams law" to establish a grant program to incentivize counties and municipalities to reduce prison populations; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a grant program to reduce prison populations, directly funding a state budget initiative under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes grant program to incentivize reducing prison populations, a direct criminal justice reform measure advancing reduction efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections

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passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 360: Relates to expanding the health department's review of correctional health services

Expands the health department's review of correctional health services by including a biennial study of health care staffing at facilities operated by the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands health department oversight of correctional facility staffing, promoting better health services and rehabilitation within corrections, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health department oversight of correctional health services via biennial staffing studies, strengthening public health program review in facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2409: Relates to the housing of transgender or intersex incarcerated individuals

Relates to the housing of transgender or intersex incarcerated individuals; authorizes the sheriff to assign a transgender or intersex incarcerated individual to any facility housing unit which shall ensure the incarcerated individual's health and safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes safe housing for transgender/intersex inmates, protecting civil rights within correctional facilities - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4958: Creates an identification card program for local correctional facilities; and relates to issuance of and waiver of fees for identification cards issued pursuant to certain identification card programs

Creates an identification card program for incarcerated individuals in local correctional facilities; requires such identification cards to be identical to non-driver identification cards issued to the general public; waives fees for such identification cards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives fees for ID cards for incarcerated individuals, facilitating reentry and reducing barriers to rehabilitation per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5823: Creates a temporary state commission relating to local correctional facilities in upstate New York

Creates a temporary state commission relating to local correctional facilities in upstate New York; provides commission study shall place emphasis on medical and mental health care, overcrowding, incarcerated individual deaths, use of force, restraints, and all segregation and confinement practices and solitary confinement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates commission study of correctional facility issues including mental health care, overcrowding, and solitary confinement - core criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5287: Relates to authorizing home confinement for certain prisoners during a declared state of emergency

Authorizes the commissioner to place certain incarcerated individuals in home confinement during a declared state of emergency if such state of emergency conditions materially affect the functioning of the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes home confinement during emergencies, reducing prison strain and advancing corrections management during crises - aligns with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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