New Yorkers value justice, fairness, and equal opportunity. But our broken justice system is undermining these values. There are over 25,000 people detained in local jails across New York State on any given day; nearly 70% are being detained pretrial. This means they have not been convicted—they have only been charged with a crime, are presumed innocent, and are awaiting their day in court. Most are detained in jail pretrial simply because they cannot afford to pay cash bail. No one should be held in jail simply because they cannot afford to buy their freedom.
City-Wide Elected Officials and Community Groups Rally Outside Rikers to Call for Closure of Jail Complex
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org | (347) 201-2769 Follow on Twitter @KatalCenter | #CloseRikers #CutShutInvestNY City-Wide Elected Officials and