In this issue:
#BailReformNY
Katal’s #CLOSErikers Campaign Summary (Aug 2015 – Aug 2017)
Lorenzo on Criminal Justice Insider Connecticut
#bailreformny
Happy new year! This week, in response to pressure from community groups and advocates across the state, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined a plan to reform a broken criminal justice system in New York, with a particular focus on reforming bail and speedy trial, and discovery practices — important reforms that are also essential to reduce jail populations and close Rikers. In his speech, Cuomo said “Race and wealth should not be factors in our justice system,” echoing demands by community groups statewide.
Also this week, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city jail population is below 9,000 for the first time in 35 years, and one of nine jails on Rikers Island (GMDC) will be closed summer — getting us one step closer to closing Rikers Island once and for all.
Check out the statement released by community and advocacy groups across the state on Gov. Cuomo’s proposal, a statement by Katal’s Co-Executive Director gabriel sayegh on the closure of GMDC on Rikers Island, and the letter on bail reform endorsed by over 130 statewide and regional community groups that was delivered to the governor last year that included elements of his proposal.
katal’s #closerikers campaign summary (aug 2015 – aug 2017)
This week, we published a campaign summary of the first two phases of the #CLOSErikers Campaign, covering the period of Katal’s co-founding and co-leadership of the campaign, from August 2015 to August 2017. It includes how the campaign got built, what worked well, and reflections on what could have worked better. Our hope is that this summary serves movements in New York City and beyond in the fight to end mass incarceration and build communities. We welcome your feedback!
lorenzo on criminal justice insider connecticut
In December, Katal Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Lorenzo Jones was a guest on Criminal Justice Insider, a radio show on WNHH 103.5 in New Haven. The unique show is co-hosted by Babz Rawls-Ivy and Jeff Grant — both of whom are formerly incarcerated. Babz and Jeff talked with Lorenzo about Katal’s community organizing, harm reduction, leadership development, and more. “An organizers job,” Lorenzo said, “is to make sure that directly impacted people have the information and are prepared for the fight.”
Listen to the full interview with Lorenzo on Criminal Justice Insider here, and check out an accompanying article from the New Haven Independent, here. Thanks to Babz and Jeff for inviting Katal’s participation! Criminal Justice Insider airs every first and third Friday of the month on WNHH 103.5 FM at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
