What's happening
This bill requires the New York corrections commissioner to permanently end the family reunion (conjugal visit) program for inmates.
Why it matters
Impacts Family Ties and Rehabilitation. By permanently ending the family reunion (conjugal visit) program, the bill eliminates a key way for incarcerated individuals to maintain close family relationships, which research often links to reduced recidivism and better post-release outcomes.
Broad Prohibition on Similar Programs. The bill not only ends the current program but also prohibits the creation of any future initiatives that would allow extended private family visits, closing the door to reforms or pilot programs that might support inmate-family connections.
Potential Effects on Prison Environment. Removing family visitation privileges can affect inmate morale and behavior, potentially increasing tension or reducing incentives for good conduct within correctional facilities.
Reflects a Shift in Correctional Policy. This legislative change signals a move away from rehabilitation and family reintegration approaches toward a more punitive correctional philosophy, which may have broader implications for how New York manages incarceration.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Conjugal Visits in Prisons
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2574
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to the commissioner of the department of corrections and community supervision's power to permanently terminate the conjugal visit program, referred to as the family reunion program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 146 of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. The commissioner shall permanently terminate the conjugal visit program referred to as the family reunion program set forth in part two hundred twenty of title seven of the New York code, rules and regulations. Such commissioner shall further prohibit the establishment of any program designed to provide selected inmates and their families the opportunity to meet privately for an extended period of time.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08222-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to the commissioner of the department of corrections and community supervision's power to permanently terminate the conjugal visit program, referred to as the family reunion program
Purpose
This legislation would eliminate conjugal visits in New York State correctional facilities by removing the power of the Commissioner of Corrections to regulate the Family Reunion Program.
Summary of provisions
§ 1 amends section 146 of the correction law.
Justification
In the 2010 New York State budget, then Governor Paterson proposed $800,000 for conjugal visit trailers at Five points Correctional Facility. The State of New York cannot reward its most hardened criminals -criminals who have committed violent and serious crimes with conjugal visits.
During these difficult economic times, we must critically examine every taxpayer dollar that New York State spends in order to find areas for potential savings. The Family Reunion Program is a costly and unnecessary prisoner luxury that New York can no longer afford in this difficult budget year. There is surely a greater need for this funding elsewhere to maintain critical services for our families and seniors or to provide much needed property tax relief for homeowners.
Legislative history
S. 5413 of 2013/2014, S. 4301 of 2015/2016
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.