Our analysis of the revisions passed in April 2020 to New York State’s bail reform projects they will lead to a 16 percent increase in New York City’s pretrial jail population, relative to the effects of the original law. However, even the revised statute makes an estimated 84 percent of cases ineligible for bail. The analysis also weighs factors, including the COVID-19 emergency, that could produce a culture change in pretrial decision-making—in the direction of less, or more, reliance on detention.

Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our staff and the communities and people we serve. We're committed to continuing our work throughout the pandemic—however it can be safely accomplished.

Access to mental health treatment for all—in a courtroom or in the community—is critical. It's long past time to break the cycle of mental illness and confinement.

With jails emerging as epicenters of the COVID-19 virus, New York City asked us, along with the city's other two supervised release providers, to offer remote supervision and referrals to services for people released early from a jail sentence. In the program's first month, 312 people were released into supervision from high-risk conditions in the jails. Results show the program is reducing health risks while also ensuring public safety. (Listen to our companion podcast.)