Governor Eliot Spitzer established the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform pursuant to Executive Order No. 10 on March 5, 2007 to conduct a comprehensive review of New York's "current sentencing structure, sentencing practices, community supervision and the use of alternatives to incarceration" in order to provide the State with "crucial guidance to ensure the imposition of appropriate and just criminal sanctions, and to make the most efficient use of the correctional system and community resources."

Following its inaugural session, the 11-member Commission chaired by Denise E. O'Donnell, Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice and Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, conducted a series of meetings where state and national sentencing experts provided an in-depth review of New York's existing sentencing structure and practices, the many challenges facing that system and constructive proposals for reform.

The full transcripts of all hearing testimony are available at this link, as well as background information and a copy of the Preliminary Report.