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All state criminal- and family-court sentencing judges will soon have to visit a jail or prison at least once a year to see where they’re sending people — a convict-friendly move that’s the first of its kind in the US.
The touchy-feely new rule, unveiled by state court officials this week, was hailed by some judicial advocates as compassionate — but critics slammed it as further proof that New York cares more about criminals than their victims.
“What about the victims?” fumed Ramon Acavedo, who was nearly bashed to death with a hammer by a thug at a Gristedes supermarket in Chelsea, Manhattan, in July 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Should the judges be required to see the harm done to victims and families? What about the way the victims were treated? I’m grateful I’m still alive,” said Acevedo, 70.
“It’s someone else’s job to look after the prisoners,” said the assault victim, whose attacker did two years behind bars. “That’s not the judge’s job.”
The stunning requirement, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, would affect hundreds of judges.
“This rule keeps judges better connected to what transpires after sentencing,” Chief Judge Rowan Wilson said.
“It deepens a judge’s firsthand understanding of prison conditions and the broad impact of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities, as well as the opportunities available during incarceration.
“The revised rule embodies the principle that judges are not distant arbiters but engaged stewards of justice, whose thoughtful determinations are grounded in reality,” he said.
The edict replaces a 1970s rule that required judges to visit a correctional facility once every four years.
“The new [rule] will give judges greater insight into the conditions they sentence people to — insight that supports better decision-making, greater transparency, and a justice system that acknowledges the humanity of all those who interact with it.” and Michael Mushlin, professor Emeritus at Pace University: School of Law and a key proponent of it.
“The impact of these visits is unmistakable for both judges and the incarcerated individuals they meet.”
But the head of the group representing 3,000 bodegas and small businesses and restaurants in New York City and Westchester County — whose workers are often the victims of crimes — joined Acevedo in slamming the judiciary for allegedly focusing more on violent lawbreakers that law-abiding citizens.
“They hate the working people. They just have compassion for victims,” seethed Francisco Marte, founder and president of the Bodega and Small Business Association.
He recalled the case of bodega worker Jose Alba, who stabbed a customer to death in self-defense after being attacked him behind the counter of a Hamilton Heights store in 2022.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg initially charged Alba with murder before dropping the case amid backlash.
But the damage to Alba was done, Marte said.
“Jose still gets nightmares. He left the city,” said Marte, who is in contact with the former bodega clerk.
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Forcing judges to visit prisons and jails such as Rikers Island in New York City is another example of criminal friendly culture, Marte said.
Under the new rules, judicial visits to facilities will include opportunities to monitor areas including intake, housing, work education, recreation, visitation, dining, and medical and mental-health facilities.
Judges will also visit inmates, workers, administrators and service providers.
The amendments follow the recommendations by the Office of Court Administration’s Advisory Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure led by Judge Daniel Conviser and Mushlin.
The Administrative Board of the Courts, comprised of Chief Judge Wilson and the four presiding justices of the New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, approved the amendments in May 2026.
They were then approved by the state Court of Appeals, New York’s highest tribunal, where Wilson serves as chief judge.
The rules also cover family court judges visiting detention facilities that house convicted juvenile offenders as well as jurists handling criminal cases.
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