Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

passed · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 429: Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates oversight mechanism for sexual assault investigations in prisons, strengthening accountability and protecting inmate rights in correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8354: Requires that all victim impact statements in New York state be video recorded; requires that the members of the parole board review all relevant victim impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing

Allows victim impact statements in New York state be video recorded; requires that the members of the parole board and all presiding commissioners for such hearing review all relevant victim impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing and to sign a written attestation confirming that they have done so.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires parole board review of victim impact statements, strengthening victim involvement in criminal justice process and enhancing transparency in parole decisions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3825: Relates to parole eligibility for felony offenders; repealer

Requires that all felony offenders shall be eligible for parole after serving no more than twenty-five years of their sentence; eliminates the possibility of serving consecutive terms of imprisonment which exceed a twenty-five year sentence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill caps felony sentences at 25 years for parole eligibility, reducing maximum incarceration terms - directly advancing criminal justice reform by promoting shorter sentences and rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7983: Enacts the "McDow Watson medical transparency in correctional facilities act"

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; establishes an independent medical oversight body to monitor and evaluate the quality of medical care provided to incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities and to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for adequate medical care; provides penalties for certain violations; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents, response times, and correctional facility compliance with certain requirements, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes independent medical oversight in correctional facilities, enhancing transparency and rights for incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures incarcerated individuals access medical records and establishes oversight, enhancing healthcare transparency and patient rights within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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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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