The Fortune Society Responds to New York State Budget and Close of Legislative Session

Following the close of the New York State legislative session, The Fortune Society today acknowledged important progress in the FY 2027 State Budget and legislative session, while underscoring the need for continued action to support people impacted by the criminal legal system, strengthen communities, and advance public safety through proven, community-based solutions.

The Fortune Society is grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and members of the Senate and Assembly for maintaining critical investments in alternatives to incarceration and reentry services. The enacted budget includes steady, baselined funding for Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs at $31.42 million and reentry services at $11.526 million, essential investments that help people remain safely in their communities, reconnect with family, access treatment and housing, and build stable futures.

Fortune also applauds the Senate for advancing an additional $3 million for community-based ATI and reentry providers. These organizations, including Fortune, are often the first line of support for people navigating the justice system and returning home, and they play a central role in reducing incarceration, improving health and stability, and promoting long-term community safety.

The organization welcomed the restoration of $3 million in funding for the Correctional Association of New York, which performs essential independent oversight and reporting on prison conditions. At a time when transparency, accountability, and humane conditions are urgently needed across correctional settings, this investment is a meaningful step forward.

“We are grateful to state leaders for recognizing that public safety is built through opportunity, services, accountability, and care,” said Rob DeLeon, Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “Sustained funding for alternatives to incarceration, reentry, and independent prison oversight, reflects an important commitment to approaches that work. These investments help people come home successfully, keep families connected, and make communities stronger.”

At the same time, Fortune expressed disappointment that the final budget did not include the $50 million Youth Justice Innovation Fund, which would have expanded access to community-based services and supports that help young people avoid arrest and incarceration. Fortune thanks Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero for championing the proposal, as well as the Senate and Assembly for including the fund in their one-house budget proposals.

“New York has an opportunity, and an obligation, to invest earlier in young people, families, and communities,” DeLeon said. “The Youth Justice Innovation Fund would help ensure that youth have access to the trusted, local programs that prevent system involvement before it begins, and prevent further involvement. We are disappointed it was not included this year, but we remain committed to working with our partners and legislative champions to advance it in the next session.”

Fortune also remains committed to advancing the Reintegration Pilot Program, A3934A/S5061A, and thanks Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for their leadership. The proposal would establish a five-year pilot program to better prepare incarcerated people for release and connect them to the supports and services needed for successful reintegration. Fortune is especially grateful to the Assembly for including $5 million for the program in its one-house budget and looks forward to working with lawmakers to pass and fund the initiative next session.

On the policy front, Fortune applauds the Legislature for passing the Transitional Reentry Health Act and urges Governor Hochul to immediately sign it into law. The bill would help ensure that people leaving incarceration are enrolled in Medicaid and can thus access health coverage and care during the critical period of reentry, when interruptions in treatment can have serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities. This legislation is especially urgent amid federal threats to health coverage and services for low-income New Yorkers.

“Health care is a critical part of reentry,” DeLeon said. “When people come home without access to medication, treatment, or coverage, the risk of crisis and even fatalities rises. The Transitional Reentry Health Act recognizes that continuity of care is fundamental to successful reentry. We were proud to stand with the Legal Action Center and other partners in advocating for this critical bill and urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law.”

Fortune also celebrates the passage of the Anti-Shackling Bill, which closes existing loopholes around the shackling of people giving birth in prison; the Protect In-Person Visiting Act, enshrining the right to in-person visits in our prisons and jails including at least during weekends or evenings, and barring replacement with virtual visits; and the Plea Deal Bill, permitting courts to accept plea agreements with promised sentences below the mandatory minimums normally required under New York’s two- and three-strikes laws.

With the session now concluded, The Fortune Society remains committed to working with the Governor, Legislature, directly impacted communities, and partners across the state to build on these gains.

“New York made meaningful progress this year, but our work is not finished,” DeLeon said. “As we look ahead to the next session, we do so with determination and hope — ready to advance policies and investments that reflect dignity, redemption, accountability, and the belief that with the right supports, people can rebuild their lives and move forward as assets to our communities.”