**MEDIA ADVISORY**
May 27, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: 347-201-2768 yonah@katalcenter.org
Follow online: @katalcenter | #ShutRikers | shutrikers.org
Wednesday, 5/28: Press Conference in Albany to Demand Reforms to Government Watchdog with Authority Over Local Jails and State Prisons
Community & Elected Officials to Gather in Albany and Demand NY Assembly Pass A.2315 (Gallagher) to Expand and Diversify the State Commission of Correction
Albany, NY – Tomorrow Wednesday, May 28th at 12:00 PM people directly impacted by jails and prisons in New York, along with community and faith groups and elected officials, will hold a press conference in Albany to demand an overhaul of the state’s jail and prison watchdog – the State Commission of Correction (SCOC).
With the recent killing of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons, and five deaths at Rikers this year, this is a critical moment to address correctional accountability and oversight. The SCOC is an independent body mandated with the constitutional authority to ensure that correctional facilities across New York – all local jails and state prisons – are “safe, stable and humane,” but for more than 20 years the SCOC has consistently failed to meet its responsibility.
WHAT: Press Conference in Albany to Increase Jail and Prison Oversight
WHEN and WHERE: Wednesday, May 28th at 12:00 PM outside of the Alfred E. Smith State Building (across the street from the capitol, at 80 S. Swan Street, Albany) directly following the 11:00 AM May SCOC monthly meeting.
WHO: Community Organizations, People Directly Impacted, Faith-Based Groups, Elected Officials, Advocates, and More
WATCH LIVE ON INSTAGRAM: @katalcenter
For decades, the SCOC has failed to take action to address the ongoing crisis in state prisons.
That’s why community groups are working on legislation S856 (Salazar) /A2315 (Gallagher), which would reform the SCOC’s membership and appointment process.
Support for this legislation is growing; nearly 100 community, advocacy, legal, and faith-based organizations have signed on in support of the immediate passage for S.856-(Salazar) / A.2315-(Gallagher). At a recent legislative hearing, the father of Robert Brooks, called for the passage of legislation to overhaul the SCOC.
Under pressure from community groups, the Legislature and Governor have increased the funding of the SCOC to $7.1 million – an increase of $3 million from last year’s budget – and strengthened oversight and accountability provisions. The next step is passage of S.856-(Salazar) / A.2315-(Gallagher).
The bill passed the Senate last week. There are nearly 50 co-sponsors on the Assembly bill and it is currently in the Correction Committee. With three weeks left in session, community groups call on the Assembly to finish the job and pass A.2315 (Gallagher).
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