Good News For Inmates In New York Prisons
There is good news for prisoners in New York State. As of 2024, there were 33,677 incarcerated individuals in all of the state run prisons in New York, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. That is a decrease of about half from 2003 when the prison population was 66,110. In 2024 there were 14,095 corrections officers. There is not a lot of good news for prisoners in New York, but starting August 1, 2025, there will be.
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It's Crazy How Much New York Spends To House Prisoners
You might be surprised how much it costs to house prisoners in New York State. Spoiler alert: It's probably more than your hotel on vacation costs. When you see the cost, you might realize other options may be more economical to deal with non-violent, lower-level crimes. Prisons are big business. In some states, for-profit prisons make a ton of money for housing inmates. But the cost of keeping a person in prison is not cheap.
In state prisons, New York spends an average of over $315 a day, or nearly $115,000 per year, to incarcerate one person.
That's how much it costs to house an inmate in a NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision facility.
New York State Prisoners To Get Free Calls
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New York's DOCCS announced that phone calls via tablets or phones within the facility will be provided at no cost to prisoners. This will allow them to make contact with their family and loved ones regardless of their financial situation. The current rate at NYS prisons for phone calls is $.024 per minute for calls within the United States, Canada, and US Territories (American Samoa, Federated states of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands). The new policy builds upon the current free calls - three free calls per week, up to 15 minutes each. Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III said,
“We recognize the critical role thatstrong family bonds play in an individual’s rehabilitation and long-term success after incarceration. By eliminating the financial burden associated with phone calls, we not only are removing a barrier to communication, but are actively promoting stronger connections between those in our care and their loved ones. Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial – not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual’s outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism. When incarcerated people maintain meaningful relationships, they are better positioned for success and therefore, this is a smart and effective step forward for the Department as we continue to work on initiatives that better serve our population and the community.”
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