**MEDIA ADVISORY**
December 9, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: 347-201-2768 yonah@katalcenter.org
Follow online: @katalcenter | #ShutRikers | shutrikers.org
Tuesday, 12/9: Press Conference at Gov. Hochul’s NYC Office to Demand She Sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Bill into Law, Amid Multiple Crises in Local Jails and State Prisons Across New York
Community Groups & Elected Officials Gather in NYC on the First Anniversary of the Murder of Robert Brooks to Demand that Gov. Hochul Take Action to Increase Oversight by Overhauling Failing Government Watchdog
New York, NY – Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9th, at 12:00 PM, people directly impacted by jails and prisons in New York, along with community and faith groups and elected officials, will hold a press conference outside of Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York City Office to demand she immediately sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill (S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan) into law. Tuesday, December 9th, is the first anniversary of the murder of Robert Brooks, and his family has called on Gov. Hochul to sign this bill into law.
The brutal killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at Marcy and Mid-State prisons underscore the violence and abuse incarcerated people face in New York State’s prison system. Local jails are no better. In NYC, the crisis at Rikers is also worsening, and yesterday, the 14th person incarcerated this year died while incarcerated in city jails. At least 47 people have died in DOC custody since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
In June, the New York Legislature passed a Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill that includes overhauling the government watchdog—the State Commission of Correction—with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Marcy, Mid-State, and Rikers. But Gov. Hochul has yet to take action on the legislation. Last week, a coalition of more than 150 community, advocacy, and faith-based organizations sent a letter to Gov. Hochul urging her to swiftly sign the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill into law.
WHAT: Rally to Demand Gov. Hochul Sign the Jail & Prison Oversight Bill
WHEN and WHERE: Tuesday, December 9th at 12:00 PM outside of Gov. Hochul’s NYC Office (919 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022). WHO: Community Organizations, People Directly Impacted by Jails & Prisons, Faith-Based Groups, Elected Officials, Advocates, and More
WATCH LIVE ON INSTAGRAM: @katalcenter
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