Release Dashboard

Data on individuals released or discharged from DOCCS custody starting January 2015. It represents data associated with incarcerated individuals only; incarcerated parolee releases, youthful offenders, and court-ordered discharges are excluded. The dataset represents release transactions, not individuals released. If an individual is released or discharged multiple times on the same incarceration sentence, multiple records will be included in the dataset. The dataset includes information on the demographics of each individual released in addition to the assigned facility at release, commitment county, release type, and agency released to (if applicable).

This data is derived from DOCCS’ incarcerated individual movement system, which the agency employs for operational purposes, such as transfers. CANY receives the data through a monthly data-sharing arrangement with DOCCS.  

Each file provided by DOCCS contains release transactions of individuals up to 3 years after the expiration of their prison sentence and at the conclusion of any period of parole or post-release supervision in accordance with Correction Law §9, as of November 16, 2024. To publish data from January 2016 to the most current month, CANY uses less than one year of historical data from each file to provide the most complete information.  

To ensure compliance with Correction Law §9, to align with the New York State Committee on Open Government's advisory opinion on case FOI-AO-18823, and to comply New York State’s data privacy laws (including the Clean Slate Act), CANY has taken a number of steps to deidentify the source data. These steps include: 

• Removing the names and departmental identification numbers of the individuals released from custody 

• Using only a selection of the fields available in the source data 

• Altering select fields to be less granular (for example, changing “date of birth” to “age range”) 

This dataset should not be interpreted as a complete count of all DOCCS releases or discharges. It reflects the release and discharge transactions available in the source files CANY receives from DOCCS, subject to the exclusions and limitations described above. The dataset does not include individuals who are adjudicated as youth, court-ordered discharges, or individuals who are housed in DOCCS facilities while on parole.  

Because of the way this dataset is generated, any alterations made by DOCCS to historical records will not be reflected here. 

By making this information publicly available, CANY seeks to promote a shared understanding of basic questions regarding the incarcerated population in New York State: How many people are being released from incarceration in the state? Where are they released from? What are the characteristics of the individuals who are being released? And how have these answers changed over time?

• DOCCS Releases and Discharges from Incarceration Report: A report for the calendar years 2021-2023 which describes the characteristics of individuals released or discharged from incarceration under the custody of DOCCS.  

• DOCCS Open Data NY Data Portal: Annual data on DOCCS admissions, releases, recidivism, and the under-custody population from 2008 onwards, published in a downloadable format. 

• CANY Prison Map: An interactive map of operational and recently closed prisons in New York State, with information on each facility including population, capacity, and staff vacancy rates.   

• DOCCS Releases from Custody: Three Year Post-Release Follow-Up A report that analyzes recidivism rates based on demographic, sentencing, and other characteristics for 2021. 

• DOCCS Admissions and Releases Report: A report comparing admissions and releases data for the calendar year 2025.  

• Legislative Report on Reentry Planning and Access to Social Services: A legislatively required DOCCS report that summarizes reentry planning practices and the social services available to individuals as they prepare for and transition from incarceration.