What's happening
The bill requires that inmates who have completed two uninterrupted years in a temporary release program must be granted parole.
Why it matters
Guarantees parole for inmates who have completed two uninterrupted years in a temporary release program, creating a clear, objective path to release. This can reduce uncertainty and stress for eligible inmates and may incentivize positive behavior during incarceration.
Shifts some discretionary power away from the parole board. , limiting their ability to deny parole to inmates who meet the specified criteria. This could reduce disparities or perceived biases in parole decisions.
May accelerate reintegration for certain inmates. , potentially benefiting public safety and reducing prison overcrowding by rewarding sustained success in supervised, community-based programs.
Could spark debate about public safety and equity. , as opponents might argue that mandatory parole after program completion could overlook case-by-case risk factors, while supporters may see it as a way to promote fairness and rehabilitation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Automatic Parole After Two Years
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 32
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- 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.
Guarantee Parole After Work Release
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2693
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- 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 executive law, in relation to procedures for the conduct of the work of the state board of parole
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 259-i of the executive law is amended by adding a new paragraph (f) to read as follows:
(f) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, an inmate who has successfully participated in a temporary release program for two years without interruption immediately prior to his or her board appearance shall be granted parole.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07257-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to procedures for the conduct of the work of the state board of parole
Purpose
Provides that the Board of Parole shall grant parole to an inmate who successfully completes two or more years of a temporary release program.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 259-i(2) of the executive law to provide that an inmate who successfully completes two years in a temporary release program shall be released to parole.
Section 2 provides for an effective date.
Justification
Some carefully screened inmates are permitted to participate in work release programs. An inmate on work release generally works in his or her home community but must return to prison for nights or weekends or for simple reporting purposes. Inmates on work release hold down jobs but turn their wages over to the superintendents of their correctional facilities to cover any restitution due, child support, commissary expenses and to defray the cost to the Department of the work release program. Any remaining wages they earn are put into savings accounts and given to them upon their release from prison.
While most inmates who successfully complete work release are granted parole when they appear before the Board, some are denied parole because of the nature of their crimes. Any inmate who has successfully completed two or more years of work release without violating the rules should be granted parole because he or she has a demonstrated ability to live and work in the community while abiding by a strict code of conduct. Under community supervision, he or she will still be supervised by DOCCS and will have to report to a community supervision officer on a regular basis. Successful participation in a temporary release program should provide a path to release from custody.
Legislative history
Assembly bill A4047 of 2018.
Fiscal implications
Will save money by providing a step down from incarceration to parole for individuals on work release.
Local 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.