**MEDIA ADVISORY**
June 9, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: 347-201-2768 yonah@katalcenter.org
Follow online: @katalcenter | #ShutRikers | shutrikers.org
Tuesday, 6/10: Press Conference in Albany to Overhaul Government Watchdog with Authority Over Local Jails and State Prisons
Community & Elected Officials Gather in Albany to Demand NY Assembly Pass A.2315 – Gallagher to Expand and Diversify the State Commission of Correction
New York, NY – Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10th, at 11:30 AM people directly impacted by jails and prisons in New York, along with community and faith groups and elected officials, will hold a press conference in Albany to demand an overhaul of the state’s jail and prison watchdog – the State Commission of Correction (SCOC). Speakers will call on the New York State Assembly to swiftly pass A.2315-(Gallagher), which will expand and diversify the SCOC. The bill has already passed the Senate.
With the recent killing of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons, and five deaths at Rikers this year, this is a critical moment to address correctional accountability and oversight. The SCOC is an independent body mandated with the constitutional authority to ensure that correctional facilities across New York – all local jails and state prisons – are “safe, stable and humane,” but for more than 20 years the SCOC has consistently failed to meet its responsibility. That’s why we’re working on legislation to fix the SCOC by changing the appointment process for commissioners to ensure that it meets its mandate with regard to jails and prisons throughout the state.
On Friday, the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus announced the Robert Brooks Prison Reform package, which consists of 21 priority bills aimed at overhauling the state’s prison systems, including S856 (Salazar) /A2315 (Gallagher). At a legislative hearing last month, Robert Brooks’s father called for the passage of legislation to overhaul the SCOC.
WHAT: Press Conference in Albany to Overhaul States Jail and Prison Watchdog
WHEN and WHERE: Tuesday, June 10th at 11:30 AM on the 4th Floor of the Capitol (State St. and, Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224).
WHO: Community Organizations, People Directly Impacted by Rikers, Faith-Based Groups, Elected Officials, Advocates, and More
WATCH LIVE ON INSTAGRAM: @katalcenter
Support for this legislation is growing; nearly 100 community, advocacy, legal, and faith-based organizations have signed on in support of the immediate passage for S.856-(Salazar) / A.2315-(Gallagher).
Under pressure from community groups, the Legislature and Governor have increased the funding of the SCOC to $7.1 million – an increase of $3 million from last year’s budget – and strengthened oversight and accountability provisions. The next step is passage of S.856-(Salazar) / A.2315-(Gallagher).
The bill passed the Senate in May. There are nearly 50 co-sponsors on the Assembly bill and it is currently in the Correction Committee. With less than two weeks left in session, community groups call on the Assembly to finish the job and pass A.2315 (Gallagher).
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