Reforms to Expand the SCOC Taking Effect and the April Monthly Meeting
Our organizational partners, members, interns, and staff at the April SCOC Monthly Meeting, 4.29.26
On Tuesday, April 29th, our members, interns, and staff attended the State Commission of Correction’s (SCOC) April monthly meeting in Albany. Yet again, the SCOC failed to address the crisis unfolding at Rikers Island, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, and other jails and prisons across New York, with the public portion of this meeting lasting less than 20 minutes. See the press release we issued after the meeting featuring quotes from elected officials, community groups, and our members.
After the monthly meeting, we went to the Capitol to meet with Senators and discuss the need to confirm reform-oriented commissioners to the SCOC who have the professional and lived experience needed to ensure the agency fulfills its oversight mandate. We also informed Senators that this Saturday, May 9th, is the effective date when the number of SCOC commissioners will expand from three to five. Right now, there are two sitting Commissions: Chair Canty and Commissioner Gaynes. One of the full-time positions is currently vacant following the former Chair’s retirement at the end of last year. Starting on Saturday, May 9th, there will be three vacancies (one full-time position and two new part-time positions), and the Commission will no longer have a quorum. As it stands, the SCOC will not be able to hold its May monthly meeting unless at least one new commissioner is appointed.
As jails and prisons across New York remain in crisis, it is vital that Governor Hochul swiftly appoints and the State Senate confirms reform-oriented people to this Commission.
Take this online action tool to contact Gov. Hochul and demand that she immediately appoint reform-oriented commissioners to the SCOC.
If you have any questions about the State Commission on Corrections or want to get involved in our implementation work, please reach out to Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org.
Monday’s Harm Reduction After the War on Drugs at John Jay College
Our executive director, gabriel sayegh, speaking at John Jay College, 5.4.26
On Monday, we attended the “Harm Reduction After the War on Drugs: Reimagining New York’s Treatment System” event at John Jay, co-hosted by the National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN), Data Collaborative for Justice (DCJ), From Punishment to Public Health (P2PH), and Center for Justice Innovation.
This event featured critical conversations covering a health‑first, community‑led approach to substance use care that prioritizes the criminalized and marginalized population targeted by the War on Drugs. The program also discussed models that provided evidence‑based and culturally rooted support, such as harm-reduction-oriented outpatient care, street outreach, and community‑based residential programs.
Our executive director, gabriel sayegh, spoke on the first panel, “From Rockefeller to Now: How Carceral Drug Policy Shaped New York’s Treatment System.” gabriel discussed the politics that led to the rise of punitive drug policies from the Rockefeller Drug Laws through the War on Drugs. He also highlighted the role grassroots organizing played in repealing these harmful drug laws.
Check out photos from the session on our BlueSky.
Tabling Across Brooklyn to Shut Rikers
Our Community Organizer, Lakenya Smith, is tabling the Brownsville Safety Week on 5.1.26
With the weather starting to get nice, we’re out tabling and talking to community members across the city about our shut Rikers campaign.
Last Thursday and Friday, our community organizer, Lakenya Smith, tabled at the 6th Annual Brownsville Safety Alliance Week. This event brings together community, public safety, and service providers working to prevent violence and uplift the voices of Brownsville residents. At the event, we were about to talk with community members about community organizing, our campaign to Shut Rikers Down, and ways people can take action and get involved.
Our Policy Associate, Ricky Forde, tabled at the El Puente Community Schools Resource Fair on 5.6.26
On Wednesday, our policy associate, Ricky Forde, tabled at the El Puente Community Schools Resource Fair. This resource fair brings together local organizations, service providers, and vendors to help people and families get the support they need. At this event, Ricky talked to the youth and their families about our work at Katal and our Shut Rikers campaign.
If you have any questions about our Shut Riker campaigns and would like us to table at an upcoming event, please contact Lakenya at lakenya@katalcenter.org.
May Statewide Criminal Justice Reform
Our next NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call is Thursday, May 14th, at noon! The New York State budget is now well over a month late. Today, Gov. Hochul announced that state leaders had agreed on a $268 billion budget. However, hours later, Assembly Speaker Heastie said that there is no budget deal. It’s still unclear when the final state budget will get passed. On our call next week, we’ll discuss where things stand on some key issues, such as climate change protections, protecting immigrant New Yorkers, and taxing the rich. As usual, we’ll also hear from organizers and advocates leading criminal justice reform campaigns across the state.
Register here to join us this Thursday, May 14th, from noon to 1 p.m.
If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to be a presenter, please contact Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org
Inspiring Resistance This Week
– After more than 150 days in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, Allan Dabrio Marrero is back in New York City. Read more about it here.
For more examples of resistance, check out Choose Democracy’s Resist List!
Quotes of the Week
“We don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” –Howard Zinn
“When you push and a door opens for you, I sincerely hope you know that there are people on earth and in the celestial realm who were behind you helping you to push so when you step through that door you had better be dragging as many others as you can with you. That is your charge.” –Mariame Kaba
For printing and distribution, download the Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal develops intergenerational leadership and organizing capacity to build community-based power and win systemic change for equity, health, and justice.
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Email: info@katalcenter.org
Phone: 646.875.8822.