BILL NUMBER: S2524

SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the promotion of prison
contraband

 
PURPOSE:

To enhance the penalties for introducing or possessing dangerous contra-
band in New York State's prisons.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Subdivision 4 of section 205.00 of the penal law is amended
to expand the definition of "dangerous contraband" to include firearms
and other dangerous weapons, destructive devices and controlled
substances. Additionally, section 205.25 of the penal law is amended to
designate the crime of promoting prison contraband in the first degree
as a C felony.

              

Section 2: Provides for an immediate effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, promoting prison contraband in the first degree is a class D
felony which provides for a sentence not to exceed seven years.  This
bill would amend the definition of "dangerous contraband" to include,
but not be limited to, firearms and other dangerous weapons, destructive
devices and controlled substances and would raise the penalty for those
who commit this crime to a class C felony which provides for a sentence
not to exceed fifteen years.

Across New York State, men and women who work in our prisons are placed
in dangerous situations every day when inmates or outside associates
attempt to bring contraband into the prisons. Within the last two years,
in response to two convicted killers escaping from Clinton Correctional
Facility, the New York State Department of Corrections has attempted to
control the amount of contraband entering the State's prisons. However,
we still hear daily examples of contraband being introduced, made,
obtained and possessed and this crime needs to be taken seriously in an
effort to protect our state's correction officers.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S.2250 referred to Codes

2019-2020: S.451 referred to Codes

2018: S.2572 committed to rules/A.9577 referred to Codes

2017:S.2572 passed Senate, died in Assembly

2016-2015: S.4382 passed Senate, delivered to Assembly, referred to
Codes

2014: S.7246 passed Senate, delivered to Assembly, referred to Codes

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.