New York Update – 3.31.2022

A group of people, some holding signs with the words less is more and Use less, save more, in front of a building.

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Bail, Discovery, and Raise the Age are Under Attack

As you know, the New York State budget is due tomorrow and Governor Hochul is pushing to include alarming roll backs to bail reform, discovery reform, and Raise the Age. If enacted, these proposals will incarcerate even more New Yorkers, perpetuating mass incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal legal system. We must stop Hochul’s incarceration plan! Take action here to tell lawmakers: No rollbacks!

The data is clear, these reforms are working to increase safety and justice in New York. A recent analysis by the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College confirms our fears: Hochul’s incarceration plan will increase the number of people jailed pretrial, while exacerbating racial disparities in the criminal legal system. Yesterday, news broke that legislative leaders are considering enacting parts of Hochul’s incarceration plan.³ This is outrageous, but still we have a chance to stop them: Take 2 minutes now to protect bail, discovery, and Raise the Age.

Katal and Dozens of Groups Rallied in Albany to Reject Hochul’s Incarceration Plan, 3.28.22

On Monday, we joined dozens of community groups in Albany for a rally to demand lawmakers protect bail, discovery, and Raise the Age (see highlights here). We also did legislator drop-in’s where our members and volunteers spoke with Senators and Assemblymembers about the need to protect these reforms. You can do the same right now by Telling Albany: Reject Hochul’s incarceration plan! No rollbacks! 

If we take action together now, we can stop Hochul’s incarceration plan. Take action now and share it with your colleagues, members, and networks.

 The #LessIsMoreNY Executive Team in Albany Protecting Criminal Justice Reform 3.28.22

Follow us on Twitter at @katalcenter to stay up to date with our efforts to prevent further bail rollbacks. Together, we can protect these crucial criminal justice reforms. 


New: 8,000 People Discharged from Parole Due to #LessIsMoreNY

As a result of #LessIsMoreNY,  8,000 people – more than 25% of the entire parole population — have been discharged early from parole – including many of our members! Check out our member Frank speaking on 13 WHAM in Rochester about the Less Is More Act and the impact it has had on his life.

In response to this exciting news, the #LessIsMoreNY Executive Team released a statement from our Director of Organizing Kenyatta Muzzanni:

“Thanks to the Less Is More Act, 8,000 New Yorkers – more than 25% of the entire parole population – will be off parole by the end of this month. Now, thousands of people and their families can focus on rebuilding their lives without the stress that comes with being on parole. This was made possible by the #LessIsMoreNY Coalition which consists of 300+ community groups, public safety officials, and service providers across the state. We thank Governor Hochul for signing this transformative bill into law and moving implementation forward. To build on this success, the Governor should move forward on the full  implementation of the rest of Less Is More, capture the hundreds of millions in savings from this reform, and invest those resources in real community safety: housing, health care, education, and jobs — especially in the communities harmed by mass incarceration.”

We are not letting up in our organizing work to secure full implementation of this transformative parole reform. We are continuing to hold #LessIsMoreNY  info sessions and house parties across the state to inform people about the Less Is More Act. If you want to get involved, please contact Melanie Dominguez at Melanie@katalcenter.org.


We’re hiring – NYC Community Organizer Position

We’re hiring for a community organizer in New York. This is a great opportunity for organizers who want to join a stellar organizing team focused on:

  • Building collective power
  • Advancing racial justice
  • Developing the leadership of neighborhood residents

Click here for more info and to apply for the New York Community Organizer Position!


Katal Quotes of the Week

These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.

“It’s unfortunately too late for my son, Kalief, but it will definitely benefit other youth so they won’t have to endure what my son did.” – Venida Browder the Mother of Kalief Browder

“Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.” – Morihei Ueshiba


For printing and distribution, 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.

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