Lawmakers must pass sentencing reform to advance racial equity, strengthen communities, and keep New Yorkers safe
New York’s economy is suffering from a labor shortage exacerbated by people who are needlessly locked out of the workforce by incarceration and its collateral consequences.
Incentivizing program participation through the Earned Time Act will better prepare people for successful reentry and increase participation in the workforce moving forward.
Strengthening New York’s Workforce Through Sentencing Reform
New York’s economy is suffering from a labor shortage exacerbated by people who are needlessly locked out of the workforce by incarceration and its collateral consequences.
New York will never reach its full potential unless we advance common-sense sentencing reforms that will safely reduce the prison population, reunite families, and strengthen the state’s workforce, while also protecting public safety.
Mass Incarceration Does Not Make New York Safer
A robust body of research, built over decades, has proven that jail stays and long prison sentences do not reduce crime. At the same time, the harms of mass incarceration are clear: it breaks families apart, destabilizes communities, and aggravates the very types of racial and economic inequality that make communities more vulnerable to gun violence. Fortunately, we also have powerful evidence about what does work to reduce crime and, in particular, gun violence. Achieving public safety for all New Yorkers means avoiding the failed policies of the past and, instead, choosing proven solutions, supported by data, that strengthen and protect communities.
Justice, Safety, and Prosperity: New York's Bail Reform Success Story
Bail reform has contributed to the prosperity of New York by allowing people to maintain their lives in their communities rather than remain in jail awaiting trial. It also has not compromised public safety, demonstrating, once again, that effective criminal justice policy can reduce incarceration while maintaining safety. Analysis by FWD.us showed that the vast majority of cases affected by bail reform did not result in a re-arrest for a violent felony, and overall rearrest rates remained stable pre- and post-bail reform.
The Case for Criminal Justice Reform in New York
Bail Reform is Working
Hear from FWD.us New York State Director for Criminal Justice Reform, Alana Sivin as she talks with Errol Louis about bail reform successes in New York.
Protect Bail Reform from Rollbacks
Hear from real New Yorkers why bail reform must be protected.
Fighting for New York Families
New York passed a historic package of pretrial reforms in 2019. Watch three New York families explain how money bail harmed their families and how they fought for change.
