What's happening
This bill expands the definition of dangerous prison contraband and increases the penalty for promoting it to a class C felony.
Why it matters
Expanding what counts as “dangerous contraband”. means that more items—including firearms, other weapons, destructive devices (like bombs), and controlled substances—will now trigger harsher penalties if smuggled into prisons or possessed by inmates, making enforcement broader and potentially affecting more people.
Raising the offense to a class C felony. (from a class D) increases possible prison time and other consequences for those caught promoting or possessing this contraband, which may deter smuggling but could also lead to longer sentences and heightened stakes for both inmates and outside accomplices.
Modernizes and clarifies the law. by specifying that both men and women can be charged, and by referencing up-to-date federal and state definitions of weapons and controlled substances, potentially reducing loopholes and ambiguity in court cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Increase Contraband Penalties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to codes
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.
Increase Prison Contraband Penalties
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Pamela Helming
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9577
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the promotion of prison contraband
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 205.00 and section 205.25 of the penal law are amended to read as follows:
4. "Dangerous contraband" means contraband which is capable of such use as may endanger the safety or security of a detention facility or any person therein which shall include, but shall not be limited to firearms and other dangerous weapons as defined in section 265.00 of this part, destructive devices as defined in 26 USC §5845(f) and controlled substances as defined in section 220.00 of this part. § 205.25 Promoting prison contraband in the first degree.
A person is guilty of promoting prison contraband in the first degree when:
1. He or she knowingly and unlawfully introduces any dangerous contraband into a detention facility; or
2. Being a person confined in a detention facility, he or she knowingly and unlawfully makes, obtains or possesses any dangerous contraband.
Promoting prison contraband in the first degree is a class [D] C felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08220-03-8
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.