What's happening
This bill requires the Department of Corrections to permanently end and prohibit all conjugal visit (family reunion) programs for inmates.
Why it matters
Permanently banning conjugal (family reunion) visits could significantly affect the ability of incarcerated individuals to maintain close family ties. , which research shows can play a critical role in rehabilitation, emotional stability, and lower recidivism rates.
The bill removes the Department of Corrections’ flexibility to reinstate or adapt family reunion programs in the future, even if new evidence or public opinion shifts. , locking in a prohibition regardless of changes in prison management best practices.
Family members, including spouses, children, and other immediate relatives, would lose opportunities for private, extended contact with incarcerated loved ones. , potentially increasing the emotional and psychological toll on both inmates and their families.
The move may have broader social impacts. , such as straining family units, reducing incentives for good behavior in prison, and affecting reentry outcomes, all of which can have downstream effects on community stability and public safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Conjugal Visits
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
1344
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
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.
LBD04846-01-9
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 Facili- ty. 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 unneces- sary prisoner luxury that New York can no longer afford in this diffi- cult budget year. There is surely a greater need for this funding else- where to maintain critical services for our families and seniors or to provide much needed property tax relief for homeowners.
Prior 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.