NCJ Number
235677
Date Published
October 2010
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The report from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services presents the results of a preliminary review of the impact of the changes to the State's drug laws that were fully implemented in October 2009.
Abstract
Findings from the preliminary review of the changes to New York State's drug laws indicate that in the 12 months following implementation of the drug law changes, approximately 1,000 fewer people went to State prison. The offenders who avoided being sent to State prison included 300 individuals who were sentenced to either jail or probation due to the elimination of certain mandatory prison sentences, and 700 offenders who were enrolled in court-monitored judicial diversion programs instead of being sentenced to prison. In addition, the changes to the drug laws resulted in 327 Class B offenders being resentenced and released from prison, and a substantial increase in the number of individuals judicially diverted to drug courts. . This report presents the results of a preliminary review of the impact of the changes to New York State's drug laws. The report includes a summary of the statutory changes and their effective dates, an analysis of the impact on admissions to State prison, and a more detailed look at the specific changes. Figures