Correctional Association of New York Welcomes Passage of Omnibus Bill to Strengthen Transparency and Oversight in State Prisons
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Friday, June 13, 2025
Contact: media@correctionalassociation.org
New York, NY — In a year marked by escalating crisis in New York’s prisons, the Correctional Association of New York (CANY) commends the New York State Legislature for passing an Omnibus Bill A8871 (Dilan) / S8415 (Salazar), a bold and necessary step toward improving transparency and accountability within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCS).
The bill’s passage comes amid growing public concern over the conditions within New York State prisons. In 2024, according to data analyzed by CANY, there were 143 deaths in custody — a 34% increase from 2023 and the highest number in five years, including the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The killings of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in late 2024, and Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in March 2025, underscore the urgent need for reform. The wildcat strike that erupted across state prisons, and the increased strain on the workforce following the termination of 2,000 security staff, only further highlights the unrest and lack of trust in the system.
The Omnibus Bill will codify significant changes to incident reporting, investigative powers, facility monitoring and oversight, public notice of deaths in custody, data collection and transparency, stationary camera installation and coverage, and independent monitoring access within the state‘s prison system. CANY has previously supported and recommended many of these policy changes. Notably, the sections requiring public death notices and the expedited installation of fixed cameras were articulated in CANY’s 2023 Policy Agenda: New Proposals.
The new bill also includes significant provisions that will strengthen CANY’s ability to provide independent and effective oversight. These include allowing CANY to visit and inspect state prisons with 24 hours’ notice to the department, a reduction from the current 72-hour notice requirement. The legislation also grants CANY routine access to administrative records, information previously obtained through FOIL requests.
“The Omnibus Bill affirms the relationship between independent oversight and increased accountability,” said Jennifer Scaife, Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York. “Among other important measures, this bill will equip CANY with greater access to facilities and information about living and working conditions – tools we need to provide rigorous, timely, and objective assessments. We applaud the Legislature for advancing this legislation and stand ready to partner with the state to implement it in ways that improve safety, dignity, and justice across the prison system.”
