New York has made important strides in moving beyond outdated approaches to crime and punishment. With bipartisan support, the state’s 2024–25 budget increased investments in alternatives to incarceration (ATI)—programs that divert eligible individuals from jail into community-based treatment, supervision, and reentry support. These services are proven to reduce recidivism, strengthen public safety, and save taxpayer dollars. Recent investments, including targeted awards through the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), reflect a growing recognition of the role ATI plays in a more effective justice system.
But this progress is fragile—and at risk of being undone.
At the federal level, proposed budget cuts to behavioral health and justice-related programs have created ongoing uncertainty. While some reductions—such as the previously proposed $2B cut to SAMHSA—have faced bipartisan resistance and been reversed, the broader funding landscape remains fluid. This uncertainty matters because federal support continues to underpin many of the services that ATI programs rely on: mental health diversion, substance use treatment, and reentry support.
These are not extras or “add-ons.” They are the backbone of a smarter, safer justice system—programs that help stabilize families, prevent unnecessary incarceration, and connect people to long-term recovery. Without sustained investment, jails and prisons will once again become our default response to complex social problems.
The pressure is not hypothetical. Federal funding streams such as SAMHSA block grants, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG), and related programs remain vulnerable to shifts in federal priorities. Even the possibility of reductions creates instability for providers and communities alike—particularly in Black and Brown communities that have long borne the brunt of mass incarceration.
That is why New York State legislators must act now. If Washington retreats, Albany cannot simply shrug and pass the damage along. It must step in to protect and expand these services. ATI isn’t a radical idea—it’s a responsible one. If these programs are to withstand federal rollbacks, they need more than one-time budget lines. They need durable state commitment and long-term political will.
Nowhere is this more urgent than in New York City. As the Mamdani administration navigates significant budget pressures, the future of ATI funding at the city level may represent the most immediate and concrete risk. If city leaders are serious about closing Rikers Island, sustained investment in ATI must remain a priority. Last year, a broad coalition of providers, including EAC Network, called on the City Council to increase funding, but levels remained largely stagnant despite growing demand. The alternatives exist. The tools are proven. But without consistent city-level investment, the follow-through will fall short and Rikers will remain a revolving door.
Outside the city, the picture is no less urgent. Across suburban and rural regions, effective ATI programs already exist but remain underutilized. This isn’t because they don’t work—it’s because they aren’t well known or adequately resourced. Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys need education, training, and encouragement to use them consistently. Communities need the confidence that these alternatives are not only available but supported at the highest levels of state government.
The choice is clear: either we allow federal budget cuts to roll back years of progress, or we step up as a state to reinforce and expand what works. New York has always prided itself on being forward-thinking in justice reform. This is another defining moment.
The message to legislators is simple: you helped fund these programs—now we must protect and sustain them. Encourage stakeholders in your district to use the tools already available. Fight to preserve and expand ATI in the face of shifting federal priorities and local budget pressures. Connect policy to practice before the window of opportunity closes.
The investments have already been made. They are already delivering results—safer communities, stronger families, and a fairer justice system. Let’s not lose that progress amid uncertainty. Let’s show that New York values solutions that work—and has the resolve to sustain them.
We’ve built the foundation. Now it’s time to protect it. Let’s make it last. Let’s make it matter.
By Neela Mukherjee Lockel, MSW, MPA, President and Chief Executive Officer of EAC Network
