Advocates Push for Sentencing Reform Bills in New York

Second Look, Earned Time, and Marvin Mayfield Acts aim to address racial disparities and give incarcerated individuals a second chance

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Advocates, activists, Democratic lawmakers, and families of incarcerated New Yorkers gathered at the State Capitol to call for passage of three criminal justice reform bills: the Second Look, Earned Time, and Marvin Mayfield Acts. The proposed legislation aims to fix outdated sentencing laws and give a second chance to thousands in custody at state-run prisons by shifting priorities from inmate storage to rehabilitation and treatment.

Why it matters

The bills are intended to address the 'legacy of racism' in New York's prison system, where nearly 75% of the over 30,000 incarcerated individuals are Black or brown, a disparity linked to the Rockefeller Drug Laws and tough-on-crime policies of the past. Advocates argue the current system is expensive, perpetuates punishment, and fails to rehabilitate or safely reintegrate incarcerated individuals.

The details

The proposed legislation includes the Second Look Act, which would allow judges to review and reduce excessive or unjust sentences; the Earned Time Act, which would expand 'good time' and 'merit time' credits to incentivize rehabilitation programs; and the Marvin Mayfield Act, which would repeal mandatory minimum sentences to give judges more discretion. Advocates say the bills would address the overuse of plea bargains and segregated confinement, which disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic individuals.

  • The bills are currently in committee, with advocates pushing for a floor vote before the legislative session ends in June 2026.

The players

Center for Community Alternatives

The organization that organized the rally and is part of a coalition of over 500 New Yorkers advocating for the sentencing reform bills.

Thomas Grant

A formerly incarcerated individual who ran the rally and spoke on behalf of the Center for Community Alternatives.

Robert Brooks Jr.

An advocate whose family has been impacted by the criminal justice system, continuing the advocacy work started by his grandfather, Robert Ricks, and late father, Robert Brooks Sr.

Monica Lynch

A mother whose son, Bernard Jamal Lynch, died while incarcerated at Mid-State Correctional Facility.

Robert Jackson

A Democratic State Senator who condemned the conditions in state prisons and the use of segregated confinement.

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What they’re saying

“This system of brutality and perpetual punishment benefits no one. It is long past time to chart a new path for road safety and real justice.”

— Thomas Grant, Formerly incarcerated individual and representative of the Center for Community Alternatives

“My father was murdered by a swarm of prison guards, and would have been saved by the proposed reforms, which would have let him out sooner.”

— Robert Brooks Jr., Advocate

“The system failed my family. My son Bernard Jamal Lynch died at Mid-State Correctional Facility in late 2025. He had mental disabilities, but was just weeks away from release when he died during his three-and-a-half-year sentence.”

— Monica Lynch, Mother of deceased incarcerated individual

“People are more than the worst thing that they have ever done.”

— Thomas Grant, Formerly incarcerated individual and representative of the Center for Community Alternatives

“New Yorkers understand something fundamental. We must hold our government accountable.”

— Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the NAACP New York State Conference

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.