ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--THE DAY AFTER MOTHERS DAY, DOZENS OF MOTHERS FROM ACROSS THE EMPIRE STATE TRAVELED TO THE CAPITOL TO RALLY FOR LEGISLATION TO HELP incarcerated NEW YORKERS.

MELANIE BISHOP, an advocate with the Center for COmmunity alternatives, IS ONE OF MANY WHO RALLIED IN ALBANY for sentencing reform bills. she SAid SHE MISSES HER SON ZACH WHO IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED.  

“It’s hard there’s an empty seat at the table all the time so there’s holidays with lots of tears,” said Bishop. 

THERE ARE THREE SENTENCING REFORM BILLS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATURE THAT INTEND TO ELIMINATE MANDATORY MINIMUM sentences, PROVIDE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO earn time off THEIR SENTENCE AND ALLOW JUDGES TO RE-CONSIDER LONGER SENTENCES FOR THOSE WHO APPLY FOR A reduction.  

SOME LAWMAKERS STRESS A MAJORITY OF THE STATE’S INCARCERATED POPULATION OF WOMEN ARE MOTHERS—IN ADDITION TO MOTHERS WHO HAVE INCARCERATED LOVED ONES.  

“It really is important for all of us to see and acknowledge and understand the human impact of failing to reform our state’s unjust sentencing laws,” said Sen. Julia Salazar (D-18th Senate District). 

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL REGULATORS—ITS ESTIMATED THAT ROUGHLY HALF Of ALL WOMEN IN STATE AND FEDERAL PRISONS HAVE AT LEAST ONE MINOR CHILD.

ALL OF THE BILLS ARE CURRENTLY IN COMMITTEES.