What's happening
This bill prohibits the use of double-bunked housing for inmates in New York correctional facilities and requires their relocation.
Why it matters
Addresses inmate safety and well-being. By prohibiting double-bunked housing (where inmates sleep in bunk beds in open dormitories), the bill seeks to reduce overcrowding, lower tensions, and potentially decrease incidents of violence or injury associated with cramped living conditions.
Limits use of more restrictive housing. The bill requires that inmates moved out of double-bunked settings cannot be transferred to higher-security or more restrictive housing unless it is otherwise appropriate, aiming to prevent punitive transfers and maintain appropriate security levels.
Operational and resource implications for corrections. Correctional facilities will need to find or create alternative housing for affected inmates, which may require significant logistical changes, possible renovations, or expansion of single-bed spaces—potentially impacting budgets and staffing.
Empowers administrative rulemaking. The Department of Corrections is granted authority to create or modify regulations to carry out this prohibition, suggesting ongoing adjustments and oversight may be necessary to ensure compliance and address unforeseen challenges.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Prison Double Bunking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
18 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
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.
Ban Prison Double-Bunking
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Luis R. Sepúlveda
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
930
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. JONES, D'URSO, ABBATE, TAYLOR, RIVERA, LUPARDO, GIGLIO, PALMESANO, GOTTFRIED, COOK, ARROYO, WALSH, WEPRIN, FRIEND -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, HAWLEY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to the prohibition of double-bunked housing in correctional facilities
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 607 to read as follows:
§ 607. Prohibition of double-bunked housing. 1. For purposes of this section "double-bunked housing" shall mean the practice of inmate housing where bunk beds are used in a dormitory setting, with inmates residing in an open space and sleeping on bunk beds.
2. Upon the effective date of this section, the department is prohibited from housing inmates using double-bunked housing practices in correctional facilities. Any inmates housed in such double-bunked housing on the effective date of this section shall be moved to other housing accommodations provided that such accommodations are not located in a more restrictive housing unit or correctional facility unless otherwise appropriate.
3. The department is authorized to promulgate or repeal any rules and regulations necessary to facilitate the implementation of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02991-01-9
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.