Criminal Justice (Corrections)

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5059: Relates to assistance programs for individuals being released from correctional facilities

Provides assistance to incarcerated individuals being released from correctional facilities for enrollment in safety net assistance, public assistance, supplemental assistance program (SNAP), special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC), the home energy assistance program (HEAP), supplemental security income, and state supplemental payments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides post-release assistance (SNAP, WIC, HEAP) to reduce recidivism and support reintegration, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5243: Requires the county sheriff to oversee an annual jail staffing analysis and provide a report to the commission of corrections and community supervision

Requires the county sheriff to oversee an annual jail staffing analysis and provide a report to the commission of corrections and community supervision and give the public the opportunity to view the statistics of their local county jail.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires annual jail staffing analysis and public reporting, enhancing transparency and oversight in corrections - key criminal justice reform indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1888: Relates to addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals

S 1888 requires New York state correctional facilities to establish addiction counseling programs for incarcerated individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders following medical screening. The bill mandates that facilities partner with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to create individualized treatment plans, though participation is voluntary. It also extends these requirements to county jails through new standards for equivalent counseling services. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects incarcerated people with substance use disorders in both state and county correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates addiction counseling in correctional facilities and jails for substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, expanding access to treatment and supporting mental health services per healthcare topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2506: Relates to addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals

This bill establishes a mandatory addiction counseling program for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders in New York state correctional facilities. After medical screening, those diagnosed with a substance use disorder must be offered placement in the program (though participation is voluntary), with each individual developing an individualized treatment plan with a specialist. It also requires county jails to create equivalent addiction counseling services through new standards in Section 45 of the Correction Law. The bill directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and county facilities who have been screened and identified as having a substance use disorder.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes mandatory addiction counseling in correctional facilities to address substance use disorders, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates addiction counseling services for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders, expanding access to healthcare treatment in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1861: Relates to the use of risk and needs principles in parole decisions

Requires the use of risk and needs assessments in parole decisions; provides a process permitting incarcerated individuals to correct verifiable factual mistakes or errors in their risk and needs assessments or other non-confidential documents given the board prior to their appearances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires evidence-based risk/needs assessments in parole decisions and allows correction of factual errors, promoting fairer outcomes and rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3633: Requires the use of body-worn cameras on certain correction officers

S 3633 requires correction officers supervising general population inmates at maximum security facilities to wear body-worn cameras during duty hours, recording all audio and video interactions with incarcerated individuals. The law mandates that recordings be stored for at least six months, with specific standards for equipment and privacy protections to prevent misuse as surveillance. The commissioner must issue an initial report within one year and annual updates evaluating the cameras' impact on safety metrics like assaults, injuries, and deaths. This bill directly affects correction officers and incarcerated individuals at designated facilities, focusing on transparency in officer-inmate interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body cameras for correction officers to enhance accountability and transparency in inmate interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1959: Requires legislative approval for the closure of correctional facilities and institutions

S 1959 requires New York's corrections department to submit a detailed report 365 days before closing any prison or correctional facility, including justification for the closure. The legislature must review this report and can request additional information. If the legislature determines the closure is unjustified, it cannot proceed without approval by a majority vote in both the Assembly and Senate. This bill directly affects state correctional facilities and shifts decision-making authority for closures to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires legislative review before facility closures, enhancing oversight of correctional decisions, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1079: Requires intervention in incidents involving incarcerated individuals

Requires every police officer, peace officer and employee of a correctional facility to intervene in incidents of violence involving incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires intervention in prison violence, promoting safety and accountability in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4976: Allows certain additional privileges to incarcerated individuals when visitation is suspended for any reason

This bill requires correctional facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with additional privileges when visitation is suspended for at least seven consecutive days due to emergencies or other reasons. Specifically, it mandates that each incarcerated person receive seven free stamps weekly, two free secure electronic messages via tablet, and two free phone calls weekly during such suspensions. The commissioner of corrections may create rules to implement these requirements, and the law takes effect 180 days after enactment. The bill directly affects all incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities during extended visitation suspensions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides communication privileges to incarcerated individuals during visitation suspensions, supporting rehabilitation and family connections which reduce recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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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