BILL NUMBER: S7810
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to reporting require-
ments for temporary release programs
 
PURPOSE OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to ensure accountability on the part of the
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision regarding the
temporary release programs such as educational and work release, and, by
doing so, increase participation by incarcerated persons in these
programs.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Correction Law § 853 to require DOCCS to submit quar-
terly reports to the State Commission of Correction detailing various
aspects of temporary release programs, including: the number of partic-
ipants and approvals per program; denials and reasons for denial;
instances where commissioner approval was required; types of programs
and participating employers or educational institutions; as well as
statistics on arrests, institutional violations, absconders, discipli-
nary proceedings and appeals; and other relevant information.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Recent research suggests that well-managed temporary release programs,
such as educational and work release, reduce recidivism and facilitate
successful reentry by helping incarcerated individuals build employment
history, maintain community ties, and develop essential life skills.
However, underutilization of these programs, often due to lack of trans-
parency, restrictive eligibility criteria, and administrative barriers,
limits their impact.
Data regarding temporary release programs for incarcerated individuals
is currently extremely limited. This bill expands the scope of DOCCS'
reporting requirement regarding temporary release programs to include
factors such as the number of incarcerated individuals who applied to
participate in temporary release programs but were denied and the
reasons for such denial, the number and type of temporary release
programs in existence, and the number of incarcerated individuals
discharged involuntarily from temporary release programs. By increasing
transparency and accountability through enhanced reporting, this bill
promotes broader access to temporary release opportunities, ultimately
contributing to public safety and more effective rehabilitation.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
SENATE:
2024: S308 (Salazar) - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction.
Passed Senate.
2023: S308 (Salazar) - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction.
Passed Senate.
2022: S8604 (Salazar) - Referred to and reported out of Crime Victims,
Crime & Correction
ASSEMBLY:
No same as
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.