The Fortune Society is committed to creating a more just criminal legal system that ensures people with criminal records can achieve stability for themselves and their families. Our New York state and local legislative and advocacy agenda aims to remove discriminatory barriers, expand access to services and legal protections and improve conditions inside jails and prisons. 

FAIR CHANCE FOR HOUSING ACT 

The Fair Chance for Housing Act would make it an unlawful discriminatory practice for most New York City housing providers to do criminal background checks. Currently, over half of the people released from state prisons to New York City end up in homeless shelters, creating a cycle of homelessness and instability that can prevent them from moving on with their lives. 

REENTRY FROM THE INSIDE OUT (S8064/A7340) 

Reentry from the Inside Out (RIO) recognizes that “reentry” must start before people have been released from prison.  RIO requires The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to coordinate with social service agencies, the department of motor vehicles and non-profits to assist with benefits applications prior to release; provide access to a range of reentry services before and after release; and provide state-issued identification cards to each individual upon their release.

BODY WORN CAMERAS FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS 

Body Worn Cameras for Correctional Officers legislation would require correctional officers to wear body cameras within New York State and City correctional facilities. The use of body-worn cameras by police departments in New York State has become a well-accepted means of oversight, and they are being adopted in states and localities across the country in correctional institutions, as they can deter activities that make everyone in facilities unsafe.  

YOUTH JUSTICE & OPPORTUNITIES ACT (S5749/A3536A) 

The Youth Justice & Opportunities Act expands Youthful Offender status eligibility for people up to age 25 who face the threat of permanent criminal convictions and adult prison sentences. Young people’s development continues through their mid-twenties and they should not face lifelong direct and collateral consequences including a loss of future employment and access to stable housing for mistakes made during maturation. Given that the vast majority of young people arrested in New York are Black and Latinx, this effort is also critical to advancing racial and economic justice.