Author Archive

Sam Mellins

is a journalist living in New York City whose reporting has appeared in The Appeal, Jacobin, THE CITY and New York Focus.

Policy
Policy

How New York’s highest court has veered right

A new four-judge bloc has consistently voted together in the most recent term, impacting criminal defendants, workers and people suing police.

  • By Sam Mellins

New York State
Policy

Kidney donation bill stuck in Assembly “traffic jam”

Advocates claimed the legislation could lead to 100 more donors every year, with just a $1 million annual cost for the state.

  • By Sam Mellins

Criminal Justice
Policy

A year after reforms were promised, people leaving New York jails and prisons still lack IDs

Reentering society without ID makes jobs and apartments almost impossible to get. Still, many people getting out of prison are without the essential paperwork.

  • By Sam Mellins

Policy
Policy

Hochul promised a ‘new era of transparency.’ Here’s what that would really take.

Under Cuomo, obtaining public records was often extremely difficult. Transparency advocates have a lot of ideas for reforming the process.

  • By Sam Mellins

Criminal Justice
Policy

Will jails let inmates access medically assisted treatment for drug addiction?

Most New York jails don’t allow the treatment, but there’s a bill to change that.

  • By Sam Mellins

Policy

Will NY decriminalize clean syringe possession?

Public health advocates say it could reduce HIV transmission.

  • By Sam Mellins