Less Is More Act First Year Report
Last week, as apart of the #LessIsMoreNY Leadership Team we released new report about the implementation of the Less Is More Act through its first year. The new report shows that the implementation of Less is More has been largely successful thus far, with a few problem areas we highlight in the report. Even better, the report finds that the impacts of this historic reform legislation have been extraordinary. Three of our member – Henry, Della, and Bobbi – are featured in the report discussing the impact of Less Is More on their family and friends.
Some of the highlights in first year of Less is More include:
- nearly 13,000 people earning early discharge from parole,
- reducing the state’s total parole population by almost 40 percent,
- the number of people detained in local jails across New York for noncriminal technical violations of parole decreased by nearly 90%.
Here’s the full press release we put our with the report. You can also find these graphics on our Instagram and a whole thread about the report on our Twitter. If you’re on social media, we hope you’ll engage share these posts about the report.
Rally at City Hall to Close Rikers
Last Tuesday, we rallied on the steps of City Hall before a City Council hearing on the crisis at Rikers to demand that the NYC City Council hold Mayor Adams accountable in shutting down Rikers. We heard powerful stories from several speakers who courageously shared how they themselves and their communities had been impacted by the torturous hellhole that is Rikers. Following the rally, we went inside for the Committee on Criminal Justice’s hearing on the crisis at Rikers. Check out the press release from the rally.
Thank you to everyone spoke at our rally, testified at the hearing, stood out in the freezing cold to demand the closure of Rikers. Below is more details about the rally and action steps you can take to support closing Rikers:
- News coverage: The rally was covered widely in the press, including by Amsterdam News, WBAI, Telemundo and News 12.
- Photos from the day: There are a bunch of very powerful photos and videos from the action, check them out and please share them!
- Take & Share Our Riker Petition: Sign this petition to demand that Mayor Adams shuts down Rikers. Please also share it with 3 friends or family members.
For more information about effort to shut down Rikers and to learn how to get involved, reach out to Melanie at melanie@katalcenter.org
Happy Holidays from Katal!
Happy holidays from Katal! As we approach the New Year, please celebrate with Katal by donating to support our work to advance equity, health, and justice. We have achieved a lot this year and have big plans for 2023. We’re grateful for our extended community and we can’t do this work without this support. Please make a year-end contribution to Katal – we’re working to raise $50,000 by the end of the year. Your donations fuel our work!
To learn more about donating, contact our senior development manager Camryn at camryn@katalcenter.org.
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“I’m lucky to be part of a team who help to make me look good, and they deserve as much of the credit for my success as I do for the hard work we have all put in on the training ground.”–Lionel Messi
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. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org Phone: 646.875.8822.
