Criminal justice system activists have found a different way to try to change the system, and that’s by changing how people are sentenced to time in prison.
A set of bills, if passed, would erase mandatory minimum sentences, allow resentencing in certain situations, and allow time in prison to count toward early release. These changes would result in a massive overhaul to how sentencing is done in New York State.
The introduction of these bills come after Republicans put Democrats under fire for other bills passed like ending cash bail. Many provisions have been approved over the last few years as a way to create a more fair criminal justice system.
By changing the laws, it could change the fact that New York State leads the nation with some of the longest sentences and sentences over ten years.
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