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A second chance: How the parole justice movement has gained steam in New York state
By Robbie Sequeira via BronxTimes Without a second chance, Donna Hylton would have never transformed her life. Without a second chance, Hylton may only be remembered for a traumatic childhood that inc…
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Prison oversight agency poised for new direction
The state Commission on Correction is supposed to get a shakeup of its leadership and mandate under state law, but not much has happened yet. We discuss the prison oversight agency with Yonah Zeitz…
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Prisoner advocacy groups push for more funding
The Katal Center for Equity, Health and Justice is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to restore $3 million in funding to the nonprofit Correctional Association of New York, which monitors conditions inside…
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Katal New York Update — May 22, 2026
In this issue: – Organizing to Implement Reforms to the State Commission of Correction – This week, Two Incarcerated People Die at Rikers in less than 24 Hours – SCOC Info Session in Syracuse with UnC…
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State prison deaths grow in recent oversight findings
This year marks the deadliest start for state prisons in at least six years, according to findings recently reported by the watchdog Correctional Association of New York (CANY). The findings account…
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Rikers Island Records Third In-Custody Death, Escalating Systemic Concerns
NEW YORK — A 41-year-old woman died May 18, 2026, at the Rose M. Singer Center jail on Rikers Island, marking the third person to die while in custody on the island this year and intensifying scruti…
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2nd Incarcerated Person Dies at Rikers in less than 24 Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769 Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY 2nd Incarcerated Person Dies at…
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3rd Death in DOC Custody Under Mayor Mamdani
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 18th, 2026 Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769 Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers #CutShutInvestNY 3rd Death in DOC Custody Under…
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Jail Oversight Body Hamstrung Until Hochul Staffs Its Leadership
New York’s most powerful prison and jail oversight agency has hit a roadblock as it waits for Governor Kathy Hochul to comply with a new law. As part of a popular push for prison refo…
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New York Prison Deaths Reach Six-Year High; State Oversight Funding Cut
NEW YORK — New York’s prison system continues to face unrest and uncertainty as prison death rates reach their highest levels in six years, prompting renewed calls for Gov. Kathy Hochul to fully f…
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Governor Hochul Must Fully Fund and Staff Independent Oversight Agencies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 15, 2026 Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769 Luke Sikinyi: LukeS@rightsandrecovery.org • 518-703-0264 Follow on socials @KatalCenter &…
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Prison watchdog agency lacks enough commissioners to fulfill duties
While an expansion of the state’s prison oversight agency went into effect over the weekend, the agency cannot function until the governor and legislature appoint new board members, advocates warned…
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NY Correction Commission Expands Amid Systemic Abuse, Oversight Failures
ALBANY, N.Y. — A new reform measure expanding the New York State Commission of Correction from three to five commissioners has been implemented, as advocates and lawmakers continue pushing for stron…
