CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org

VOCAL-NY DEMANDS PASSAGE OF MEANINGFUL SYSTEMIC JUSTICE REFORMS BEFORE SESSION ENDS

Legislative Leaders Must Step Up and Create Pathways for Prison Release

An Estimated 75 Deaths Have Occurred in NYS Prisons Since Robert Brooks’ Death

NEW YORK — VOCAL-NY members and leaders are frustrated by the failure of the Governor and the legislature to advance systemic reforms to the criminal justice system despite the outrage and public support for change following the murder of Robert Brooks last December.

VOCAL-NY supports much-needed oversight to a prison system lacking accountability, but ignoring demands to pass legislation to create legitimate pathways for prison release and decarceration is incomprehensible. Lawmakers are demonstrating a shocking indifference to the tens of thousands of incarcerated New Yorkers across the state. 

“I’m disappointed. Every year we put a lot of effort into advocating for these bills that would create an equitable system and give people a fair shot at justice. Many states don’t have the opportunity for prison oversight so I’m grateful for the accountability bills but I’m definitely disappointed,” said Neil Berry, a leader with VOCAL-NY from Staten Island.

“It sucks, it’s terrible. We are hurt. We had a lot of brothers and sisters currently in prison hoping they’d get relief through some of these bills. Last Friday we thought there was hope because of the Caucus’ bill package, but now we feel so disappointed,” said Tracie Adams, a leader with VOCAL-NY from Rochester.

“When I saw the bill package on Monday I was so mad. I’m so disappointed. I’m happy they’re passing oversight and accountability bills, but real accountability means passing reforms that will get people out of prisons, end qualified immunity, and allow people to challenge wrongful convictions,” said Susan Shervington, a leader with VOCAL-NY from Queens.

BACKGROUND:

On Monday, the New York State Legislature agreed to pass an omnibus bill that aims to increase transparency and oversight in New York State prisons. Lawmakers intend to pass the bill package within the last few days left of the legislative session. The announcement came on the back of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus (BPHA) launch of the Robert Brooks Blueprint for Justice & Reform bill package this past Friday. The BPHA package included meaningful reforms, such as Fair & Timely Parole, Elderly Parole, Second Look Act, and Earned Time Act; the omnibus bill introduced this past Monday excludes these bills as well as the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act. 

The omnibus bill, that state Democrats are calling the “Accountability Package”, is purportedly in response to the dozens of deaths in New York State prisons this past year; and was spurred by the murder of Robert Brooks last December. While the package ushers in much needed oversight in a prison system lacking in oversight and accountability, it fails to include legislation that would create legitimate pathways for prison release and decarceration. The legislature cannot, on one hand, acknowledge the need for oversight of a prison system that has caused an estimated 75 deaths since the murder of Robert Brooks, and on the other fail to create avenues that would release people from prisons. 

With only two days left in the session, legislators must pass the bills that would not only get people out of prisons and jails, but also provide a safe and equitable environment upon their release. If state leaders are serious about reforming our criminal legal system, they must listen to impacted people and pass meaningful legislation NOW:

• Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act (S6319 & A7422A) 
• Elder Parole (S454/A514) and Fair & Timely Parole (S159/A127)
• Earned Time (S342/A1085) and Second Look (S158/A1283)

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