What's happening
This bill requires that inmates under 21 in segregated disciplinary confinement receive structured out-of-cell programming and additional protections.
Why it matters
Mandates a minimum of four hours daily structured out-of-cell programming. for inmates under 21 in segregated disciplinary confinement, recognizing the developmental needs of young people and aiming to reduce the negative psychological impacts of isolation.
Requires individualized attention to education, mental health, and physical activity. , ensuring that young inmates continue to access essential services and supports even while in segregation, which could reduce recidivism and improve outcomes upon release.
Prohibits particularly harsh disciplinary measures. for these inmates, such as punitive isolation, denial of phone calls or visits, or restrictive diets, reflecting a shift toward more humane treatment and safeguarding basic rights.
Greatly limits the placement of youth in adult special housing units. , permitting it only in exceptional circumstances, with oversight by the commissioner and a strict 15-day maximum, thereby reducing exposure of young inmates to potentially dangerous and inappropriate adult environments.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Youth Jail Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 25
History
- Referred 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.
Require Programs for Confined Teens
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Luis R. Sepúlveda
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5272
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ROZIC, BLAKE, DE LA ROSA, MOSLEY, O'DONNELL, PERRY, WALKER, WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to requiring structured out-of-cell programming for adolescents in segregated disciplinary confinement
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 6 of section 137 of the correction law, as amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
Except as provided in paragraphs (d) [and], (e) and (g) of this subdivision, the superintendent of a correctional facility may keep any inmate confined in a cell or room, apart from the accommodations provided for inmates who are participating in programs of the facility, for such period as may be necessary for maintenance of order or discipline, but in any such case the following conditions shall be observed:
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 137 of the correction law is amended by adding a new paragraph (g) to read as follows:
(g) Any inmate under the age of twenty-one who is in segregated disciplinary confinement must be offered at least four hours a day of structured out-of-cell programming, in addition to exercise, and may be provided with additional out-of-cell activities for good behavior. The inmate's education, mental health and other programming needs must be addressed during any such period of segregated confinement and the inmate must be given significant daily opportunity to engage in physical activity. No such inmate shall be kept in punitive isolation, be denied telephone calls or visits or be placed on a restrictive diet as a sanction for misbehavior. Such inmates may not be housed in a special housing unit for adults unless there are exceptional circumstances which would create an unacceptable risk to the safety and security of other
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01122-01-9
A. 5272 2
inmates or staff. In such exceptional circumstances the inmate's case shall be immediately referred to the commissioner for review and resolution. Any such placement in an adult special housing unit shall not exceed fifteen days.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.