FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
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Community Groups and Impacted People Gather with Elected Officials in Albany to Demand an Overhaul of Government Watchdog with Authority Over Local Jails and State Prisons
With Correctional Facilities Across the State in Crisis, the NY Legislature Must Pass the Omnibus Bill on Correctional Services S.8415 (Salazar) / A.8871 (Dilan), Which Includes Provisions to Expand and Diversify the State Commission of Correction
Albany, NY – Today, people directly impacted by jails and prisons in New York, along with community groups and elected officials, held a press conference to demand an overhaul of the state’s jail and prison watchdog – the State Commission of Correction (SCOC). Ahead of the press conference, the NY Legislature introduced an omnibus bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), related to correctional services in New York, which consists of ten prison oversight and accountability bills. The omnibus bill includes S.856 (Salazar)/ A.2315 (Gallagher), which overhauls the State Commission of Correction.
This omnibus bill is in response to the killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons. 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. Several reforms included in the omnibus bill, such as S856 (Salazar) /A2315 (Gallagher), were also included in the caucus package. At a legislative hearing last month, Robert Brooks’s father called for the passage of legislation to overhaul the SCOC.
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. The inclusion of reforms to the SCOC by legislative leaders is an acknowledgment that there is a need 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.
Section H of the Omnibus Bill – S.8415/A.8871 – will expand the number of commissioners from three to nine and distribute appointments among the Governor, the Senate, the Assembly, and the independent nonprofit, the Correctional Association of New York. The appointment requirements would guarantee a diversity of backgrounds, including in public health, behavioral healthcare, prisoner’s rights litigation, and personal experiences of incarceration.
Speakers at the rally called on the NY Senate and Assembly to pass S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan) and deliver it to the Governor’s desk for signature.
Quotes from elected officials, community groups, and impacted community members:
Senator Julia Salazar, Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction & Prime Bill Sponsor, said: “New York’s prisons have been violent and abusive toward incarcerated people for decades, with little to no accountability or oversight. It was just a few months ago, and across the street from each other, that correction officers murdered both Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi. New York has a moral obligation to protect those in its custody, and it has an obligation to finally address the systemic violence taking place that led to the deaths of Mr. Brooks and Mr. Nantwi. My and Assemblymember Gallagher’s SCOC Expansion bill would increase oversight of New York’s prisons and bring us closer to ending this pattern of violence.”
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Prime Bill Sponsor, said: “My team wrote the SCOC reform bill after visiting Rikers and witnessing firsthand the utterly dehumanizing and degrading conditions people were forced to live in. We are kidding ourselves if we pretend like we can lock people away in conditions like that without having the effects of that dehumanization spill over into our broader society. The bill gained momentum this year due to the lynching of Robert Brooks, and then Messiah Nantwi. This morning, we saw that the bill has been included into an omnibus package, which will increase oversight and accountability for people who are incarcerated in New York prisons and jails. This is an incredibly important step in our ongoing fight for the dignity, humanity, and protection of incarcerated people. To my incarcerated community members, I want to say — I hear you. I know this situation is unlivable, and you and your families are barely hanging on. I will not stop fighting for you.”
Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, said: “The State Commission of Correction is supposed to protect the lives and dignity of people in our jails—but right now, it’s failing. If we’re serious about ending abuse and neglect in our jails, we need a commission with real teeth—independent, transparent, and accountable to the people. This bill from Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Salazar will do just that and I’m proud to join them in calling for its passage.”
Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, said: “I am proud to cosponsor A2315, which would expand the State Commission of Correction, allowing more diverse perspectives and improved oversight and accountability. Thank you to Assembly Member Gallagher for introducing this impactful legislation” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein.”
Assemblymember Anna Kelles, said: “Just last month, the legislature heard testimony highlighting ongoing abuse, chronic understaffing, lack of care, and a broader culture of neglect and violence inside our correctional facilities. We have witnessed these failures of oversight and accountability lead to maltreatment and deaths that could have, and should have, been prevented. Our correctional facilities by intent are supposed places to foster rehabilitation and transformation, not a place to dump human beings to be subjected to torture or death. Expanding the State Commission of Correction to include members who have lived experience with the carceral system or backgrounds in public health and legal defense will improve New York’s ability to ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals in our prisons”
Assemblymember Chris Burdick, said: “We are at a critical point with our correctional system and how we view incarceration. Ensuring the safety of staff and those who are incarcerated, fostering rehabilitation, and promoting transparency will be achieved sooner if we bolster the State Commission of Corrections to nine members and add requirements for certain types of professional expertise among members. I am hopeful that we can pass this bill and make significant strides in our goals of safety and accountability.”
Ziyadah Amatulmatin, member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, said:
“For decades, state prisons across New York have failed to keep our incarcerated loved ones safe. With the recent killing of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons, we are at a critical moment that demands immediate action. My brother Ramadan Mubarak Ibn Abdul-Mateen is among those who have died while under the custody of the Department of Corrections. He died at Wende Correctional Facility because of the lack of access to medical care and excessive force. My son, who is currently incarcerated, is also experiencing the same horrific conditions that everyone behind bars is enduring. These are the realities that families with a loved one behind bars are living. The conditions in New York State jails and prisons are life-threatening, and urgent action is needed. I am grateful that the Senate and Assembly have introduced an Omnibus Bill on Correctional Services, SB 8415 (Salazar) / AB 8871 (Dilan), which includes the SCOC bill. This bill would expand and diversify the State Commission on Correction to ensure that it meets its mandate of protecting the constitutional rights of incarcerated people. Now, I urge that they pass this package expeditiously.”
Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, said: “For too long, New York’s carceral system has operated without true accountability and forced thousands of New Yorkers to suffer. The omnibus bill introduced today is a real solution to strengthen oversight of our corrections system and invest in institutions that are more transparent and responsive to the public. We applaud Albany lawmakers for committing to fix this broken system and look forward to working with them to better protect our communities before the end of this session.”
Sharon McLennon Wier Ph.D., MSEd., CRC, LMHC, Executive Director, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), said: “The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) supports the passing of A.2315 (Gallagher). We encourage the Assembly to pass this bill before their session ends on June 17, 2025. It is important to have additional members of the State Commission of Corrections. CIDNY believes that a member with a disability should be represented to truly reflect all residents who are currently incarcerated.”
Anthony Maund, member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “While I was incarcerated at a State Correctional Facility, there were many instances where correctional officers used excessive physical force on me. I filed so many grievances but there was never any accountability. This is not a unique experience but one that many incarcerated people go through. In other cases, as what occurred with Rober Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, incarcerated people are killed. I send my deepest condolences to all the families that have lost a loved one behind bars. We will not stop fighting till justice is served. I urge the legislature to pass the SCOC bill, to overhaul the dormant State Commission of Correction, and ensure that they meet their constitutional mandate of keeping correctional facilities in ‘safe, stable, and humane’ conditions.”
Michael McQuillan, Member of the Social Justice Committee at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, said: “Assembly Member Gallagher’s initiative with the Katal Center’s longtime leadership inspires our turn toward those within jails and prisons from whom politicians and the public look away to pledge that we will pursue the SCOC bill’s passage until the job is done. An empowered and expanded group with relevant expertise among its members is the least we must demand. One that crafts a vision for the humane management of penal institutions guided by the values of mercy, safety, nurturance and renewal for those inside is vital for society at large.”
The Dismantling Racism Team of Congregation Beth Elohim, said: “The State Commission on Correction must be empowered to undertake its constitutional authority and ensure that all local jail and state prisons are ‘safe, stable and humane.’ From Marcy prison to Rikers Island, correctional facilities are in crisis and need an effective, functioning watchdog. Jewish tradition teaches us that to save a single life, it is as if one has saved an entire world. To save lives and worlds, the Assembly must pass this bill before the end of session.”
Jeffrey Davis, member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, said:
“While I was incarcerated at Rikers Island, I witnessed so many of the injustices that take place there that mentally destroyed me. There was a man who kept asking for medical attention, and he sadly passed away in one of the housing units on Rikers Island. They let this man die because they neglected to give him the medical attention he required. I also observed the special unit coming in and physically abusing incarcerated people multiple times. The correctional system shows no mercy for human lives. The way the correctional guards treated me caused me to lose control. It was as if a switch flipped, and I felt the need to protect myself from the officers. Being incarcerated is difficult not only for individuals but also for their families. I had to stop my partner from visiting because the guards began to emotionally and mentally abuse her. The jails and prisons in New York need to be reformed, and in many cases, like with Rikers Island, they need to be shut down. That is why the New York state Legislature must pass the SCOC Bill to overhaul the State Commission of Correction to ensure they protect the constitutional rights of incarcerated people.”
Yonah Zeitz, Advocacy Director of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice: “Katal members, many of whom are formerly incarcerated or have loved ones currently incarcerated in jails and prisons from Buffalo to New York City, have demanded an overhaul of the independent watchdog with authority over correctional facilities. We’re glad to see leadership in the NY Senate and Assembly respond to impacted communities by introducing this omnibus bill intended to increase prison oversight and accountability. We’re grateful to Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Salazar for championing this critical legislation.
It is clear that the State Commission of Correction is failing to fulfill its constitutional mandate to ensure that correctional facilities across the state are ‘safe, stable, and humane.’The heinous killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons are emblematic of the systemic issues of violence, abuse, and torture occurring under the SCOC’s watch. It’s time to overhaul the SCOC by expanding the number of commissioners and diversfy the appointments to ensure it meets its responsibility. We urge the Senate and Assembly to swiftly pass this omnibus bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), and deliver it to the governor’s desk.”
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