NCJ Number
247388
Date Published
2012
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This publication is an update on the impact of the 2009 drug law changes in New York and provides information through 2011.
Abstract
This publication presents trends in felony drug arrests, indictments, prison commitments, diversions to treatment and treatment participation and provides comparisons before and after the drug law changes were implemented. Findings show that since implementation of Criminal Procedural Law (CPL) Article 216 in October 2009: drug commitments to prison decreased 33 percent, from 5,190 in 2008 to 3,513 in 2011; the large counties outside of New York City had the largest decreases in drug commitments to prison; the biggest decline in commitments was seen for African-Americans, followed by Hispanics; admissions to felony drug courts increased from 1,039 in 2008 to 1,975 in 2011; at the same time, the number of participants in other diversion programs declined; the majority (84 percent) of individuals admitted into drug court programs were not facing a mandatory prison sentence at arraignment; as of June 1, 2012, 645 offenders serving indeterminate B sentences had been resentenced; arrests for felony class B, C, D and E drug offenses in 2008 and 2010 were followed to initial case disposition, including diversion outcomes; arrest flows show that, in New York City and smaller counties upstate, there has been minimal change in the processing of felony drug offenders who are first time felons; when drug offenders with a prior felony on their record were followed, the analysis showed fewer going to prison; and the most substantial changes were found outside of New York City. Figures, tables and appendixes