Closerikers.org
Glenn E. Martin, President and founder of JustLeadershipUSA, and gabriel sayegh, Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice are leaders in the #CLOSErikers campaign. They issued the following statements in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement today that people in New York City jails will receive reentry services.
Glenn E. Martin, President and Founder of JustLeadershipUSA said, “An investment by NYC to repair the harm caused by exposure to Rikers Island is important. But this is a back-end solution to a front-end problem, exacerbated by Mayor de Blasio’s insistence on renovating ‘Torture Island.’ Progressive New Yorkers are pushing for the closure of Rikers because we know we must transform the whole system. The mayor should stop equivocating and join us.”
Gabriel Sayegh, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice said, “It’s important to provide reentry services to every person leaving NYC jails. But more investments in reentry and great reentry planning won’t solve NYCs most pressing criminal justice crisis: the notorious penal colony known as Rikers Island, and all it represents. It’s time to advance real change and make safety a priority for all New Yorkers. It’s time for the Mayor close Rikers Island.”
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