What's happening
This bill requires New York prisons to improve access to substance abuse programs for prisoners whose first language is not English.
Why it matters
Expanding access to substance abuse programs for non-English-speaking prisoners could help reduce recidivism. by ensuring more incarcerated individuals can meaningfully participate in required or voluntary rehabilitation programs, which are often linked to parole eligibility and successful reintegration.
Mandating the employment of bilingual staff and translation of materials. recognizes the diversity of the prison population and seeks to address health disparities, providing fairer access to critical treatment services that were previously out of reach for many due to language barriers.
By involving the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services in planning,. the bill aims to ensure that programs are not only linguistically accessible but also culturally relevant, increasing the effectiveness of substance abuse interventions among non-English-speaking populations.
Improved access to treatment for non-English speakers can have broader public health and safety effects,. as more individuals may be able to address substance use issues before release, potentially reducing drug-related harm both inside and outside prison.
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Who cares
Headline styles
More Drug Help for Inmates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to crime victims, crime and 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.
Add Drug Help in Spanish
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3344
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 20, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- 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 increasing access to substance abuse programming for prisoners whose first language is not English
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 625 to read as follows:
§ 625. Access to substance abuse programming for certain prisoners. The commissioner shall take steps to ensure that prisoners whose first language is not English are able to understand, participate and complete substance abuse programs provided in the prisons. Such steps may include, but need not be limited to, increased employment of bilingual substance abuse counselors and program staff, translation of program content and materials, targeted programs for non-English speaking prisoners and other strategies determined by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07803-01-7
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 increasing access to substance abuse programming for prisoners whose first language is not English
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require the commissioner of corrections, in consultation with the commissioner on Alcohol and substance Abuse Services, to take steps to ensure that prisoners whose first language is not English are able to access prison substance abuse programs. The bill addresses the difficulty currently experienced by significant numbers of inmates in understanding, participating and completing prison substance abuse programs.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill amends Article 22 of the correction Law by adding subsection 624 requiring the commissioner of corrections, in consultation with the commissioner on Alcohol and Substance Abuse services, to take steps to ensure that prisoners whose first language is not English are able to access prison substance abuse programs. Such steps may include, but need not be limited to, increased employment of bilingual substance abuse counselors and program staff, translation of program content and materials, targeted programs for non-English speaking prisoners, and other strategies determined by the commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of alcohol and substance abuse services.
Justification
Ten percent of the state prison population, more than 6,000 inmates, were born outside of the United States. Only twenty-eight (28) percent of those prisoners come from countries where the dominant language is English, fifty-four (54) percent come from countries where the dominant language is Spanish, and eighteen (19) percent are from countries that speak primarily languages spoken in Asia and Europe. Twenty-five (26) percent of the state prison population, more than 16,000 inmates, are of Hispanic origin. Hispanic inmates are housed throughout the system, but the highest concentrations of Hispanic inmates are housed in the Sullivan hub (33 percent) and New York city hub (31 percent.)
The department of correctional services has recognized that it is necessary to expand its capacity to address the needs of prisoners who may have difficulty speaking and understanding program content presented only in English. Substance abuse programs are of critical importance to the Prisoner and to the community, as research consistently shows that prison treatment programs reduce recidivism and lower health care and social service costs upon re-entry to society. Studies also show that prison treatment programs have a significantly positive impact on inmate behavior, making our prisons safer and more secure.
The Department of Correctional Services operates a variety of substance abuse programs at an approximate cost of 20 million dollars annually. Yet non-English speaking prisoners have difficulty understanding, participating and completing these programs. Program content and materials are presented in English; few substance abuse counselors or program staff are bilingual. This bill would require the Commissioner to take steps to address this problem, without imposing specific methods or timeliness, thus preserving the flexibility of the department to proceed incrementally and to develop strategies that reflect both security and budgetary limitations. The bill calls for the Commissioner of Corrections to consult with the Commissioner on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services in order to ensure that strategies developed are evidence-based, effective and professionally implemented.
Prior legislative history
2009-10:S.4367/A.7158(Ortiz) Reported and committed to Finance 2011-12:S.977/A.1021(Ortiz) Committed to Rules 2013-14:S.3348/A.2022(Ortiz) Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction 2015-16:5.2042/A.5931(Ortiz)Reported and committed to Finance
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined.
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.