What's happening
This bill requires the prompt enrollment of inmates in assigned programs and prioritizes program placement for those denied parole due to incomplete programs.
Why it matters
Ensures faster access to rehabilitation programs by requiring that inmates be enrolled in assigned programs as soon as possible, rather than leaving program participation to administrative discretion or delays.
Directs correctional facilities to give priority placement in required programs to inmates who have been denied parole specifically because they haven't completed such programs, potentially reducing repeated parole denials due to program waitlists or backlogs.
Aims to make parole decisions more fair and meaningful by addressing a common barrier to release—lack of timely access to mandated programming—thereby possibly decreasing unnecessary incarceration and associated costs.
Strengthens accountability for correctional departments by making timely program enrollment and prioritization a legal requirement, which could lead to improved rehabilitation outcomes and better preparation for reentry into society.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Enroll Inmates in Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Approval memo.47
- Signed chap.476
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- 3rd reading cal.1560
- Substituted for S5494A
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Amended on third reading 6353b
- Advanced to third reading cal.233
Show 4 earlier actions
- Reported
- Print number 6353a
- Amend (t) and recommit to correction
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enroll Inmates in Programs
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6353--B Cal. No. 233
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, BLAKE, SEPULVEDA, WALKER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported from committee, advanced to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place on the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the correction law and the executive law, in relation to enrolling inmates into programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 137 of the correction law, as added by chapter 476 of the laws of 1970, is amended to read as follows:
1. The commissioner shall establish program and classification procedures designed to assure the complete study of the background and condition of each inmate in the care or custody of the department and the assignment of such inmate to a program that is most likely to be useful in assisting him to refrain from future violations of the law. Such procedures shall be incorporated into the rules and regulations of the department and shall require among other things: consideration of the physical, mental and emotional condition of the inmate; consideration of his educational and vocational needs; enrollment of each inmate in assigned programs as soon as practicable; consideration of the danger he presents to the community or to other inmates; the recording of continuous case histories including notations as to apparent success or failure of treatment employed; and periodic review of case histories and treatment methods used.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 259-l of the executive law, as amended by section 38-j of subpart A of part C of chapter 62 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
1. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to [insure] ensure that all officers and employees of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10378-07-7
A. 6353--B 2
the department shall at all times cooperate with the board of parole and shall furnish to such members of the board and employees of the board such information as may be appropriate to enable them to perform their independent decision making functions. It is also his or her duty to ensure that the functions of the board of parole are not hampered in any way, including but not limited to: a restriction of resources including staff assistance; limited access to vital information; and presentation of inmate information in a manner that may inappropriately influence the board in its decision making. Where an inmate has appeared before the board prior to having completed any program assigned by the department, and where the board has denied such inmate release pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision two of section two hundred fifty-nine-i of this article, the department shall prioritize such inmate's immediate placement into the assigned program.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.