Bill > A06322

This bill creates the Office of the Correctional Ombudsperson, an independent oversight body designed to achieve transparency, fairness, impartiality, and accountability in New York state and local correctional facilities. The ombudsperson will be appointed by a newly established 12-member Correctional Oversight Board and will serve a six-year term, with the ability to be removed only for good cause. The office will have broad investigative powers, including the ability to review policies, inspect facilities, interview staff and incarcerated individuals, access records, conduct investigations, and receive complaints about correctional facilities. The ombudsperson will be required to produce annual public reports detailing investigations, significant problems discovered, and recommendations for improvement. The bill also grants the office significant autonomy, including the power to subpoena documents, interview employees confidentially, and investigate allegations of misconduct. Additionally, the bill expands the Attorney General's authority to investigate criminal offenses committed by corrections employees and makes investigators of the ombudsperson's office peace officers. The goal is to create a robust, independent oversight mechanism to monitor and improve conditions in correctional facilities across New York State.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6322