Volutary work
New York voters approve inmate non-profit work
New York voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday amending the state constitution to allow the state legislature to pass a law permitting prisoners to work with non-profit organizations on a voluntary basis. Prisoners previously participated in work programs with non-profit organizations, but a 2005 opinion issued by the Commission of Correction indicated that the practice might be unconstitutional. Prisoners are currently permitted to work for municipal governments on a voluntary basis. The ballot measure passed 67.6 percent to 32.4 percent with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
The Department of Correctional Services as well as prisoner advocacy groups were in favor of the measure. Chairman of the State Assembly's Correction Committee Jeffrion Aubrey said the ballot measure would help rehabilitate prisoners and reintegrate them into society. In order for the measure to appear on the ballot, it had to be approved by both houses of the state legislature in two consecutive legislative terms.
(Published by Jurist - November 4, 2009)