Each day in New York State, tens of thousands of people—disproportionately Black, brown and low-income—languish behind bars. The New York State Parole Board annually denies thousands of incarcerated New Yorkers their freedom, punishing them, their families and communities for years and decades beyond their minimum sentence. Then, even after people complete their sentences, New York’s current system continues to punish people who face barriers to housing and jobs, and face deportation and ICE detention because of a criminal record.
Decarcerate jails and prisons & end perpetual punishment.
The Problem
How We’ll Solve It
New York must pass legislation that decarcerates jails and prisons and recognizes the potential all people have for growth and change.
Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act (A.2036), Second Look Act (S.321/ A.531), and Earned Time Act (S.774/A.1128)
eliminates mandatory minimums and two- and three-strike laws, addresses excessive sentences, and creates additional opportunities for people to be considered for release.
The PromPT Stability Act (S.3066/A.3750A)
grants the right to a hearing shortly after a temporary order of protection is issued in criminal court, seeking to reduce the harms of these orders when they are not warranted.
The Youth Justice & Opportunity Act (S.3462/A.4238)
expands alternatives-to-incarceration and sealing for offenses committed by young people up to age 25.
Fair and Timely Parole (S.307/A.162)
ensures that the Parole Board evaluates already parole-eligible people based on who they are today, including their rehabilitation, personal transformation and their current risk of violating the law.
Elder Parole (S.2423/A.2035)
allows people in New York State prison aged 55 and older who have served 15 or more consecutive years an opportunity to be considered for parole.
Dignity Not Detention (S.306/A.4354)
ends ICE’s contracts with local jails, reuniting people with their families and communities while also enabling them to more capably fight deportation.
Clemency Justice Act (S.222/A.155)
creates transparency around the clemency process in New York State.
Freedom From Indefinite Forensic Detention Act
Aims to limit the extreme lengths of time that people are currently spending in indefinite forensic detention.
Forensic Science Commission Overhaul (S.9672)
A bill to overhaul the forensic science commission to have more oversight by forensic scientists and remove it from DCJS to prevent wrongful convictions and increase scientific reliability and credibility.
SCOC Reform – (S.5877A/A.5709A)
Will expand SCOC (state agency responsible for jail oversight) by adding 6 new members, with specifications to ensure representation of perspectives different from that of carceral professionals: formerly incarcerated people, lawyers with prisoner rights experience, nomination by CANY, etc.
| Elder Parole | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1.-For-Lawmakers-PCPJ-2023-Primer-1.pdf |
| Communities not Cages | Campaign Background | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Communities-Not-Cages-1-pager.pdf |
| Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CNC-Eliminate-Mandatory-Minimums.pdf |
| Second Look Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Second-Look.pdf |
| Earned Time Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Earned-Time.pdf |
| NY Sentencing Laws | Timeline & History | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CNC-sentencing-history.pdf |
| PromPT Stability Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Updated-PromPT-One-Pager_PRINT-1.pdf |
| PromPT Stability Act | FAQ | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023_Revised-PromPT-FAQ-1.pdf |
| Youth Justice and Opportunity Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/YJOA-one-pager-11.17.21.pdf |
| People’s Campaign for Parole Justice | Campaign Page | https://www.parolejusticeny.com/ |
| People’s Campaign for Parole Justice | Primer | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Primer-on-Elder-Parole--Fair--Timely-Parole.pdf |
| People’s Campaign for Parole Justice | Key Facts | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PCPJ-KeyFactsDetailed1.pdf |
| Parole Justice | Fact Sheet | http://rappcampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/Older-People-in-Prison-Short-Fact-Sheet-UPDATED_fixed.pdf |
| Dignity Not Detention | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NY-Dignity-Not-Detention-Act.pdf |
| Dignity Not Detention | Campaign Website | https://nydignitynotdetention.org |
| Clemency Justice Act | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1-page-overview-of-CJA-2023-.docx.pdf |
| Freedom From Indefinite Forensic Detention Act | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Freedom-from-Indefinite-Forensic-Detention.pdf |
| Forensic Science Commission Overhaul | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Forensic-Science-Commission-Overhaul.pdf |
| SCOC Reform | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SCOC-Reform.pdf |