Organizing to Overhaul the State Commission of Correctio
Katal team in Albany pushing to overhaul to SCOC, 3.25.25
With jails and prisons across New York in crisis, this is a critical moment. The killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at Marcy and Mid-State Correctional facilities and the recent news about infirmities being used by prison guards to beat up incarcerated people, the state prison system is in immense crisis. Local jails from Buffalo to Nassau County are also unsafe for incarcerated people. In NYC, at least 38 people have died at Rikers since Adams took office.
Momentum is growing to increase oversight and accountability by overhauling the State Commission of Correction S.856 (Salazar) / A.2315 (Gallagher). On Tuesday, we were up in Albany and we visited over two dozen legislative offices to speak with Senators and Assembly Members about S.856 (Salazar)/A.2315 (Gallagher). We picked up a new co-sponsor in the Assembly, Assemblymember Tony Simone, bringing us to 39 co-sponsors in the Assembly. We’re keeping the pressure up and support for this bill has been growing; we currently have over 85 community, advocacy, legal, and faith-based groups from across the state signed on in support of this bill. Click here to sign on your organization. For more information on this bill, check out our fact sheet here.
On Tuesday, May 13th, we’ll be back in Albany speaking with lawmakers about the need to pass this critical reform.
If you want to support efforts to increase jail and prison oversight or join us in Albany on 5/13, please reach out to Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org.
No ICE On Rikers Island
Katal Member and Staff at No ICE on Rikers Rally at Foley Square, 4.25.25 (Photo Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY)
Last Friday, we joined ICE Out of NYC Coalition, Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Council Members, and others for a rally outside of the New York Supreme Court to denounce Mayor Adams for attempting to establish an ICE office at Rikers.
The rally followed a court hearing where the judge extended a temporary restraining order blocking Adams from opening an ICE office on Rikers. There will be a formal hearing in the next few months where the judge will make a final decision.
This shameful move by Adams to get his charges dropped at the expense of our communities in a quid pro quo with President Trump is despicable. Instead of throwing immigrants under the bus to save his skin, the mayor should be working to defend New Yorkers, protect immigrants, and shut down Rikers once and for all.
If you’re interested in joining the fight to shut down Rikers and hold Mayor Adams accountable, please contact Melanie at melanie@katalcenter.org.
Weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps
Join us on Wednesday, May 7th, for our weekly Pro-Democracy Phone Zaps! Every Wednesday from 12:00-12:45 p.m. (EST), we gather on Zoom to call our elected officials. We’ll start by calling our congressional representatives in D.C. to demand they take action to defend the Constitution, protect free speech and the right to protest, save crucial services, and more. Then, for those who want to do more, we will contact our state-based officials about local campaigns. If you’ve been looking for a starting point to take action, this is a great place to jump in!
Join us for our next Pro-Democracy Phone Zap on Wednesday, May 7th. Register here!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Lily at lily@katalcenter.org. We hope to see you there!
Next Thursday, 5/8: NYS Criminal Justice Reform Call
Our next NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call is next Thursday, May 8th, 2025! The state budget is now over a month late. Some of the major issues being discussed are discovery, involuntary commitment, and the mask ban. On Thursday’s call, we’ll spend extra time discussing the state budget and we’ll have speakers on to discuss the various criminal justice reform issues in the budget. Got questions about the budget and where things stand? Then join us on Thursday to learn more and get your questions answered.
Register to join us on Thursday, May 8th, from 12 – 1 pm.
If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to be a presenter, please contact Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org.
Save the Date: 5/15 Shut Rikers Campaign Meeting
Join us on Thursday, May 15th from 6-7pm via Zoom for a Shut Rikers Campaign Meeting. During the meeting, we’ll share updates about the crisis at Rikers, discuss next steps in the fight to shut down Rikers, and share ways to take action with us.
RSVP here to join us for the Shut Rikers Campaign Meeting!
If you have any questions, reach out to Melanie at Melanie@katalcenter.org.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“When I tell people how much time I’ve done, they wince, shake their heads, and frown in disgust.
That’s too much time, they all say.
I see the unasked question in their eyes: How do you do it?
I’ve always followed the advice an old-timer gave me 42 years ago. Just keep waking up.” – James Sheffield, a prison writer serving time at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, in “Sing Sing is a war zone.”“I am saying it clear and loud to President Trump and his cabinet, I am not afraid of you.” – Mohsen Mahdawi, Columbia University student, after being released from U.S. Immigration custody.
For printing and distribution, download the Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice.
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Email: info@katalcenter.org
Phone: 646.875.8822.
