A bill package strengthening prison oversight remains unsigned by Gov. Kathy Hochul after passing the state legislature right before the 2025 session ended this past June. While the rest of the year remains for her to sign the omnibus bill into law, proponents are restless. The bill would go into effect immediately after the ink dries.

The package has 10 parts, including proposals to install 24/7 cameras in prisons; notify family members in a timely fashion of people who die in custody; and bolster prison oversight organizations, including the State Commission of Correction (SCOC) and Correctional Association of New York (CANY). The SCOC is an oversight agency with powers to investigate and even close down problematic facilities.; CANY is a nonprofit watchdog contracted to monitor state p

See Full Page