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As a law enforcement professional, I’ve spent my career dedicated to keeping communities safe. But I’ve also seen firsthand how excessive sentences and outdated laws fail to promote safety — and often undermine it.

New York lawmakers are now considering three common-sense bills to bring our state into alignment with best practices around both public safety and justice. The Earned Time Act, Second Look Act and the Marvin Mayfield Act are smart, cost-effective reforms that will reduce unnecessary incarceration, strengthen community cohesion and allow law enforcement to make the best use of our limited resources. Together, these measures will bolster public trust and confidence in New York’s criminal justice system, which will make it easier for law enforcement to do their jobs.

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The Earned Time Act would improve safety in prisons and the broader community by incentivizing incarcerated individuals to engage in educational programs, workforce training and personal transformation. These measures have been shown to contribute to

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