Impacts of sentencing reforms on New York State prison population: Examining changes to earned time, merit time, and mandatory minimum sentences

• In Event: Evaluating the Impacts of Bail, Sentencing, and Pretrial Reforms in New York and Beyond

Abstract

Recently, legislators in New York State have introduced sentencing reform bills aimed at reducing prison terms for individuals convicted of felonies. These reforms are expected to lower the overall prison population. Policy discussions about these bills, particularly negotiations regarding eligibility criteria (“carveouts”), can benefit from empirical research about their estimated impact. The current study will provide a framework for estimating the effects of sentencing reforms using administrative data from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Specifically, it examines the projected reductions in the prison population under the Earned Time Act and the Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act. Additionally, the study assesses the potential impact of these reforms on racial disparities in incarceration. Findings will explore how modifications in eligibility criteria and the extent of sentence reductions influence the effectiveness of these laws in achieving substantial population reductions. Furthermore, the study will discuss the relative benefits and limitations of front-end versus back-end reforms in reducing prison incarceration on a broader scale.

Author

• Jaeok Kim, Vera Institute of Justice