Curran Outlines New Bail Law Effect On Nassau County Jail

Two days before New York's new bail reform law goes into effect on Jan. 1, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran detailed how it would affect the people incarcerated in the county's jail.

On Jan. 1, New York's new cashless bail law goes into effect. The law will eliminate bail for nonviolent offenses and misdemeanors. As part of the law, people currently incarcerated for crimes that will be covered by the new regulations will be set free on Dec. 31.

"The women and men of the Sheriff’s Department have worked diligently through this holiday season in coordination with various other agencies to ensure that the release of persons from the Correctional Center as a result of the bail reform legislation will be accomplished in a safe, controlled and organized manner," Curran said in a statement.

According to Curran, the new bail reform laws will result in 29 of the jail's 884 prisoner's being released, or about 3 percent. In addition to those releases, Curran said there will be four prisoners released for completing their sentences, and another four hospital transfers for mental health evaluations.

Curran said that the releases will be conducted during normal business hours, and are expected to be completed by mid-afternoon tomorrow.

To help with the releases, the NICE Bus will be running extra buses on the N48 route, which stops near the jail. In addition, Curran said that a local faith-based organization will be providing transport to people who need it.