Authorizes the employment of state and local work release inmates by not-for-profit organizations and public service projects

5 Co-sponsors

• Patrick M. Gallivan
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

BILL NUMBER:S3056

Title of bill

An act to amend the correction law, in relation to authorizing employment by not-for-profit organizations and public service projects under the work release program

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the employment of state and local work release inmates by not-for-profit organizations and public service projects.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends subdivision 3 of section 851 of the Correction Law. Section 2: Amends subdivision 3 of section 851 of the Correction Law. Section 3: Adds a new paragraph (b) to subdivision 9 of section 855 of the Correction Law. Section 4: Adds a new paragraph (b) to subdivision 6 of section 853 of the Correction Law. Section 5: Amends section 870 of the Correction Law. Section 6: Amends section 871 of the Correction Law by adding subdivision (e).

Sections 851 and 870 of the Correction Law are amended by including in the definition of a "work release program" employment by a not-for-profit organization or a public service project. It is also provided that inmates may refuse to accept a particular assignment at a not-for-profit if there is a conflict with the inmate's religious or ideological beliefs with the organization.

Justification

The inmate work release program is utilized in prisons across the State of New York. This program is for prisoners who are nearing the completion of their sentence and meet specific eligibility requirements. This program serves as an effective mechanism for prisoners to provide labor to the community while giving the opportunity for supervised and gradual reintegration to society.

This legislation seeks to expand upon the current program by allowing inmates to provide labor to public service projects and not-for-profit organizations, which are vital to the community. Cemeteries, baseball fields, libraries, and parks are just a few examples of under-funded community facilities which require continuous maintenance and grounds-keeping. This legislation would increase community enhancement to these facilities for the taxpayers to benefit from.

Legislative history

2013,2014: S.2204A Passed Senate 2011,2012: S.744A Passed Senate 2009,2010: S.3409 Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction 2007,2008: S.385/A.3294 Passed Senate 2006:S.7018 Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.