N.Y.
Correction Law Section 2
Definitions
1.
“Department” means the state department of corrections and community supervision;2.
“Commissioner” means the state commissioner of corrections and community supervision;3.
“Commission” means the state commission of correction;4.
(a) “Correctional facility”. Any place operated by the department and designated by the commissioner as a place for the confinement of persons under sentence of imprisonment or persons committed for failure to pay a fine. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, whenever reference has been or hereafter will be made in any statute, judgment, sentence, commitment, court order or otherwise to a state prison, state reformatory, reception center, diagnostic center or other institution or facility in the department, such reference shall be deemed to mean “correctional facility”.(b)
The term “correctional facility” shall not, however, be deemed to mean or to include any place operated by the department for the care and confinement of persons who have been found to be mentally defective or mentally ill by a court and who are confined in such place pursuant to an order of a court based upon such finding.(c)
Whenever the term “institution” is used in this chapter or elsewhere in such context as to mean an institution in the department, such term shall be deemed to include correctional facilities and any other place operated by the department as a place for the confinement of persons.5.
“Reception center”. A correctional facility for reception, classification and program-planning for purposes of confinement, treatment and transfer.6.
“Residential treatment facility”. A correctional facility consisting of a community based residence in or near a community where employment, educational and training opportunities are readily available for persons who are on parole or conditional release and for persons who are or who will soon be eligible for release on parole who intend to reside in or near that community when released.7.
“Detention center”. A correctional facility for the temporary detention of persons taken into custody upon violation of parole or upon violation of a condition of release, or of persons being transferred from other correctional facilities, or of persons who are assigned to other correctional facilities for confinement but whose presence is required in court or for some other purpose at a location that is distant from the institution of confinement.8.
“Correctional Camp”. A correctional facility consisting of a camp maintained for the purpose of including conservation work in the program of incarcerated individuals.9.
“Diagnostic and treatment center”. A correctional facility operated for the purpose of providing intensive physical, mental and sociological diagnostic and treatment services including pre-parole diagnostic evaluation, where requested by the board of parole, and scientific study of the social and mental aspects of the causes of crime.10.
“General confinement facility”. A correctional facility for confinement and treatment of persons under institutional programs oriented to education, vocational training and industry.11.
“Work release facility”. A facility designated by the commissioner as an institution that may conduct a work release program.12.
“Superintendent”. The chief administrative officer of a correctional facility. Whenever the term “warden” appears in this chapter in such context as to mean an officer of a state correctional facility, such reference shall be deemed to mean “superintendent”.13.
“Infant” or “minor” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years. * 14. “Community treatment facility.” A residential chemical dependence facility approved as provided in section 32.01 of the mental hygiene law or pursuant to section 32.31 of such law used exclusively to provide substance abuse treatment services to persons eligible pursuant to § 72-A (Community treatment facilities)section seventy-two-a of this chapter and who are otherwise eligible for temporary release pursuant to subdivision two of § 851 (Definitions)section eight hundred fifty-one of this chapter. These facilities shall be separate and distinct so as not to replace existing substance abuse treatment services. * NB Expires September 1, 2025 15. “Shock incarceration correctional facility”. A correctional facility designated by the commissioner as an institution that may conduct a shock incarceration program.16.
(a) “Local correctional facility.” Any place operated by a county or the city of New York as a place for the confinement of persons duly committed to secure their attendance as witnesses in any criminal case, charged with crime and committed for trial or examination, awaiting the availability of a court, duly committed for any contempt or upon civil process, convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment therein or awaiting transportation under sentence to imprisonment in a correctional facility, or pursuant to any other applicable provisions of law.(b)
Whenever the term “jail”, “penitentiary” or “workhouse” is used in this chapter, such term shall be deemed to mean local correctional facility.(c)
Whenever the term “sheriff” is used in this chapter, such term shall be deemed to include the warden, superintendent, or other person in charge of a local correctional facility.17.
“Alcohol and substance abuse treatment facility.” A correctional facility designed to house medium security incarcerated individuals as defined by department rules and regulations and operated for the purpose of providing intensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment services. Such services shall ensure comprehensive treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse to incarcerated individuals who have been identified by the commissioner or his or her designee as having had or presently having a history of alcoholism or substance abuse. Such services shall be provided in the facility in accordance with minimum standards promulgated by the department after consultation with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. * 18. “Alcohol and substance abuse treatment correctional annex.” A medium security correctional facility consisting of one or more residential dormitories, which provide intensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to incarcerated individuals who:(i)
are otherwise eligible for temporary release, or(ii)
stand convicted of a felony defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the penal law, and are within six months of being an eligible incarcerated individual as that term is defined in subdivision two of § 851 (Definitions)section eight hundred fifty-one of this chapter including such incarcerated individuals who are participating in such program pursuant to subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subdivision, any incarcerated individual to be enrolled in this program pursuant to subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law shall be governed by the same rules and regulations promulgated by the department, including without limitation those rules and regulations establishing requirements for completion and those rules and regulations governing discipline and removal from the program. No such period of court ordered corrections based drug abuse treatment pursuant to this subdivision shall be required to extend beyond the defendant’s conditional release date. Such treatment services may be provided by one or more outside service providers pursuant to contractual agreements with the department, provided, however, that any such provider shall be required to continue to provide, either directly or through formal or informal agreement with other providers, alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to incarcerated individuals who have successfully participated in such provider’s incarcerative treatment services and who have been presumptively released, paroled, conditionally released or released to post release supervision under the supervision of the department and who are, as a condition of such release, required to participate in alcohol or substance abuse treatment. Such incarcerative services shall be provided in the facility in accordance with minimum standards promulgated by the department after consultation with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. Such services to parolees shall be provided in accordance with standards promulgated by the department after consultation with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who has successfully completed no less than six months of intensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment services in one of the department’s eight designated alcohol and substance abuse treatment correctional annexes having a combined total capacity of two thousand five hundred fifty beds may be transferred to a program operated by or at a residential treatment facility, provided however, that a person under a determinate sentence as a second felony drug offender for a class B felony offense defined in article two hundred twenty of the penal law, who was sentenced pursuant to section 70.70 of such law, shall not be eligible to be transferred to a program operated at a residential treatment facility until the time served under imprisonment for his or her determinate sentence, including any jail time credited pursuant to subdivision three of section 70.30 of the penal law, shall be at least nine months. The commissioner shall report annually to the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly commencing January first, two thousand twelve the number of incarcerated individuals received by the department during the reporting period who are subject to a sentence which includes enrollment in substance abuse treatment in accordance with subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law, the number of such incarcerated individuals who are not placed in such treatment program and the reasons for such occurrences. * NB Effective until September 1, 2025 * 18. “Alcohol and substance abuse treatment correctional annex.” A medium security correctional facility consisting of one or more residential dormitories which provide intensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to incarcerated individuals who:(i)
are otherwise eligible for temporary release, or(ii)
stand convicted of a felony defined in article two hundred twenty or two hundred twenty-one of the penal law, and are within six months of being an eligible incarcerated individual as that term is defined in subdivision two of § 851 (Definitions)section eight hundred fifty-one of this chapter including such incarcerated individuals who are participating in such program pursuant to subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subdivision, any incarcerated individual to be enrolled in this program pursuant to subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law shall be governed by the same rules and regulations promulgated by the department, including without limitation those rules and regulations establishing requirements for completion and those rules and regulations governing discipline and removal from the program. No such period of court ordered corrections based drug abuse treatment pursuant to this subdivision shall be required to extend beyond the defendant’s conditional release date. Such treatment services may be provided by one or more outside service providers pursuant to contractual agreements with the department, provided, however, that any such provider shall be required to continue to provide, either directly or through formal or informal agreement with other providers, alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to incarcerated individuals who have successfully participated in such provider’s incarcerative treatment services and who have been presumptively released, paroled, conditionally released or released to post release supervision under the supervision of the department and who are, as a condition of such release, required to participate in alcohol or substance abuse treatment. Such incarcerative services shall be provided in the facility in accordance with minimum standards promulgated by the department after consultation with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. Such services to parolees shall be provided in accordance with standards promulgated by the department after consultation with the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services. The commissioner shall report annually to the majority leader of the senate and the speaker of the assembly commencing January first, two thousand twelve the number of incarcerated individuals received by the department during the reporting period who are subject to a sentence which includes enrollment in substance abuse treatment in accordance with subdivision six of section 60.04 of the penal law, the number of such incarcerated individuals who are not placed in such treatment program and the reasons for such occurrences. * NB Effective September 1, 2025 19. “Vocational and skills training facility” means a correctional facility designated by the commissioner to provide a vocational and skills training program (“VAST”) to incarcerated individuals who need such service before they participate in a work release program. The VAST facility shall provide intensive assessment, counseling, job search assistance and where appropriate academic and vocational instruction to program participants. Such assistance may include an assessment of any incarcerated individual’s education attainment level and skills aptitudes; career counseling and exploration; the development of a comprehensive instructional plan including identification of educational and training needs that may extend beyond the date of entry into work release; instructional programs including GED preparation or post-secondary instruction as appropriate; occupational skills training; life skills training; employment readiness including workplace behavior; and job search assistance. The department and the department of labor shall jointly develop activities providing career counseling, job search assistance, and job placement services for participants. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to modify the eligibility requirements provided by law applicable to incarcerated individuals participating in a work release program.20.
“Drug treatment campus” means a facility operated by the department to provide a program of intensive drug treatment services for individuals sentenced to parole supervision sentences pursuant to section 410.91 of the criminal procedure law or for certain parole violators. All such treatment services shall be provided by, or with the approval of and pursuant to a plan developed in conjunction with, the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, and which plan shall include but not be limited to provision for an appropriate continuum of care that includes a needs assessment and treatment services for individuals while at this facility and upon discharge from such facility, including an enhanced aftercare program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a person sentenced to parole supervision pursuant to section 410.91 of the criminal procedure law requires a degree of medical care or mental health care that cannot be provided at a drug treatment campus, the department, in writing, shall notify the person, provide a proposal describing a proposed alternative-to-the-drug-treatment-campus program, and notify him or her that he or she may object in writing to placement in such alternative-to-the-drug-treatment-campus program. If the person objects in writing to placement in such alternative-to-the-drug-treatment-campus program, the department shall notify the sentencing court, provide such proposal to the court, and arrange for the person’s prompt appearance before the court. The court shall provide the proposal and notice of a court appearance to the prosecutor, the person and the appropriate defense attorney. After considering the proposal and any submissions by the parties, and after a reasonable opportunity for the prosecutor, the person and counsel to be heard, the court may modify its sentencing order accordingly, notwithstanding the provisions of section 430.10 of the criminal procedure law. A person who successfully completes an alternative-to-the-drug-treatment-campus program within the department shall be treated in the same manner as a person who has successfully completed the drug treatment campus program, as set forth herein and in section 410.91 of the criminal procedure law.21.
“Residential mental health treatment unit” means housing for incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness that is operated jointly by the department and the office of mental health and is therapeutic in nature. Such units shall not be operated as disciplinary housing units, and decisions about treatment and conditions of confinement shall be made based upon a clinical assessment of the therapeutic needs of the incarcerated individual and maintenance of adequate safety and security on the unit. Such units shall include, but not be limited to, the residential mental health unit model, the behavioral health unit model, the intermediate care program and the intensive intermediate care program. The models shall be defined in regulations promulgated by the department in consultation with the commissioner of mental health consistent with this subdivision and § 401 (Establishment of programs inside correctional facilities)section four hundred one of this chapter. Incarcerated individuals placed in a residential mental health treatment unit shall be offered at least four hours a day of structured out-of-cell therapeutic programming and/or mental health treatment, except on weekends or holidays, in addition to exercise, and may be provided with additional out-of-cell activities as are consistent with their mental health needs; provided, however, that the department may maintain no more than thirty-eight behavioral health unit beds in which the number of hours of out-of-cell structured therapeutic programming and/or mental health treatment offered to incarcerated individuals on a daily basis, except on weekends or holidays, may be limited to only two hours. Out-of-cell therapeutic programming and/or mental health treatment need not be provided to an incarcerated individual for a brief orientation period following his or her arrival at a residential mental health treatment unit. The length of such orientation period shall be determined by a mental health clinician but in no event shall be longer than five business days.22.
“Mental health clinician” means a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or nurse practitioner who is licensed by the department of education and employed by the office of mental health.23.
“Segregated confinement” means the confinement of an incarcerated individual in any form of cell confinement for more than seventeen hours a day other than in a facility-wide emergency or for the purpose of providing medical or mental health treatment. Cell confinement that is implemented due to medical or mental health treatment shall be within a clinical area in the correctional facility or in as close proximity to a medical or mental health unit as possible.24.
“Joint case management committee” means a committee composed of staff from the department and the office of mental health. Such a committee shall be established at each level one and level two facility. Each committee shall consist of at least two clinical staff of the office of mental health and two officials of the department. The purpose of such committee shall be to review, monitor and coordinate the behavior and treatment plan of any incarcerated individual who is placed in segregated confinement or a residential mental health treatment unit and who is receiving services from the office of mental health.25.
“Joint central office review committee” means a committee comprised of central office personnel from the department and the office of mental health as designated by the respective commissioners.26.
“Treatment team” means a team consisting of an equal number of individuals from the department and the office of mental health who are assigned to a residential mental health treatment unit and who will review and determine each incarcerated individual’s appropriateness for movement through the various program phases, when applicable. The treatment team shall also review, monitor and coordinate the treatment plans for all incarcerated individual participants.27.
“Level one facility” means a correctional facility at which staff from the office of mental health are assigned on a full-time basis and able to provide treatment to incarcerated individuals with a major mental disorder. The array of available specialized services include: residential crisis treatment, residential day treatment, medication monitoring by psychiatric nursing staff, and potential commitment to the central New York Psychiatric Center.28.
“Level two facility” means a correctional facility at which staff from the office of mental health are assigned on a full-time basis and able to provide treatment to incarcerated individuals with a major mental disorder, but such disorder is not as acute as that of incarcerated individuals who require placement at a level one facility.29.
“Level three facility” means a correctional facility at which staff from the office of mental health are assigned on a part-time basis and able to provide treatment and medication to incarcerated individuals who either have a moderate mental disorder, or who are in remission from a disorder, and who are determined by staff of the office of mental health to be able to function adequately in the facility with such level of staffing.30.
“Level four facility” means a correctional facility at which staff from the office of mental health are assigned on a part-time basis and able to provide treatment to incarcerated individuals who may require limited intervention, excluding psychiatric medications.31.
“Community supervision” means the supervision of individuals released into the community on temporary release, presumptive release, parole, conditional release, post release supervision or medical parole.32.
“Correctional association” means the correctional association of New York, duly incorporated by chapter six of the laws of eighteen forty-six, and any of its employees, board members, and designees.33.
“Special populations” means any person:(a)
twenty-one years of age or younger;(b)
fifty-five years of age or older;(c)
with a disability as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision twenty-one of Executive Law § 292 (Definitions)section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law; or(d)
who is pregnant, in the first eight weeks of the post-partum recovery period after giving birth, or caring for a child in a correctional institution pursuant to subdivisions two or three of § 611 (Births to incarcerated individuals of correctional institutions and care of children of incarcerated individuals of correctional institut...)section six hundred eleven of this chapter.34.
“Residential rehabilitation unit” means a separate housing unit used for therapy, treatment, and rehabilitative programming of incarcerated people who have been determined to require more than fifteen days of segregated confinement pursuant to department proceedings. Such units shall be therapeutic and trauma-informed, and aim to address individual treatment and rehabilitation needs and underlying causes of problematic behaviors.
Source:
Section 2 — Definitions, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/COR/2 (updated May 12, 2023; accessed Dec. 21, 2024).
