‘Give Us a Second Look’: Incarcerated Writer Urges New York Lawmakers to Act on Prison Reform

As New York lawmakers debate prison reform, one voice from inside the system is urging them to listen more closely to the people most affected.

John J. Lennon, a journalist writing from Sing Sing Correctional Facility, says the lack of meaningful pathways to release is fueling tension and instability inside New York’s prisons. In a recent essay published by New York Focus and The Marshall Project, Lennon argues that policies like the proposed Second Look Act could offer a way forward — not just for incarcerated people, but for the prison system as a whole.

The Second Look Act would allow people serving long sentences to return to court after years behind bars and ask a judge to review their sentence, taking into account rehabilitation and personal growth.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Lennon about why he believes that kind of opportunity is missing — and why it matters.

“You need some type of incentive… somebody… may think twice about stabbing somebody… you need some type of incentive,” Lennon said.

Lennon’s essay builds on a broader argument: that hope — or the lack of it — plays a critical role in shaping behavior inside prisons.

He describes a system where many incarcerated people, especially those convicted of violent offenses, have little ability to reduce their sentences through good behavior.

“There’s no good time. You can’t earn any time off your sentence for good behavior,” Lennon said.

Instead, he said, many are left waiting for rare opportunities like clemency or legislative change.

In the New York Focus article, Lennon connects that lack of hope to rising violence and instability in prisons across the state, arguing that reforms have reduced some forms of punishment without creating new incentives for positive behavior.

Lennon says in recent years inside Sing Sing has been particularly difficult, with staffing shortages and limited programming contributing to long periods of idleness.

“Idle time… that’s the playground… it could get ugly,” he said.

He also highlighted a contrast between New York’s system and the federal system, where some incarcerated people have opportunities to seek sentence reductions through the courts.

“Give us an opportunity… to go before the judges… show them what I’ve become,” Lennon said.

For Lennon, the issue is not just about fairness — it’s about safety.

He says creating a real path to release could improve conditions for both incarcerated people and correction officers, reducing tensions and making prisons more stable environments.

His message to lawmakers is direct.

“Pass the Second Look Act,” Lennon said.

As debates continue in Albany, Lennon’s perspective offers a firsthand look at how policy decisions play out inside prison walls — and why some believe those voices should be part of the conversation.