N.Y.
Correction Law Section 41
State commission of correction
- organization
(a)
There shall be within the executive department a state commission of correction. It shall consist of nine persons, three of whom shall be appointed by the governor, two of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, two of whom shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and two of whom shall be appointed by the correctional association.(b)
The members appointed shall include, but not be limited to, at least one of each of the following:(i)
a person formerly incarcerated in a correctional facility located in New York;(ii)
a public health professional;(iii)
a behavioral healthcare professional;(iv)
an attorney duly licensed to practice in this state who has a professional background in indigent criminal defense services or prisoner’s rights litigation; and(v)
a professional in any other field deemed useful for the promotion of an efficient, humane, and lawful correctional system.(c)
The members of the commission shall annually designate one of the appointed members as chairperson to serve at such members of the commission’s pleasure. The members shall devote full time to their duties and shall hold no other salaried public position. * NB Effective until May 9, 2026 * 1.(a)
There shall be within the executive department a state commission of correction. It shall consist of nine persons, three of whom shall be appointed by the governor, two of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, two of whom shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and two of whom shall be appointed by the correctional association.(b)
The members appointed shall include, but not be limited to, at least one of each of the following:(i)
a person formerly incarcerated in a correctional facility located in New York;(ii)
a public health professional;(iii)
a behavioral healthcare professional;(iv)
an attorney duly licensed to practice in this state who has a professional background in indigent criminal defense services or prisoner’s rights litigation; and(v)
a professional in any other field deemed useful for the promotion of an efficient, humane, and lawful correctional system.(c)
The members of the commission shall annually designate one of the appointed members as chairperson to serve at such members of the commission’s pleasure. The members shall devote full time to their duties and shall hold no other salaried public position. * NB Effective May 9, 2026 2. The members shall hold office for terms of five years; provided that the first two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly shall serve for a term of two years; the first two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate shall serve for a term of three years; and the first two members appointed by the correctional association shall serve for a term of four years. No member shall serve for more than ten years. Any member of the commission may be removed by the appointing authority who nominated the member for cause after an opportunity to be heard in such member’s defense.3.
Any member chosen to fill a vacancy created other than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom such new member is to succeed. Vacancies caused by expiration of term or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
Source:
Section 41 — State commission of correction; organization, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/COR/41 (updated Dec. 26, 2025; accessed Jan. 31, 2026).
