In this issue…
New York: “End the Cycle!” #LessIsMoreNY Coalition Convenes Day of Action at the Capitol
Connecticut: Join Us for Our CT Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Call
New York: “End the Cycle!” #LessIsMoreNY Coalition Convenes
Day of Action at the Capitol
Directly impacted people, advocates and former and current correctional and law enforcement officials rally on the steps of the Million Dollar Staircase demanding passage of #LessIsMoreNY and to repeal the #WalkingWhileTrans Ban.
Tuesday, January 28, the #LessIsMoreNY coalition convened a powerful day of action at the Capitol, demanding lawmakers in Albany and the Governor prioritize parole reform and pass the transformative #LessIsMoreNY Act — which would dramatically change how New York handles technical violations of parole. For too long, failed parole reform policies have directly impacted New York’s most vulnerable, often poor, Black and brown communities and lawmakers could jeopardize the plans to close Rikers Island if swift, concrete steps are not taken to reduce jail populations across the state.
Throughout the day, a unique coalition of directly impacted people, advocates and former and current correctional and law enforcement officials engaged legislators in meetings led by Katal leaders, impacted community members, and advocates of parole reform. They shared testimonies and experiences of being on parole, discussed the broken justice system and recent research on parole supervision, and provisions of the bill and how it is directly tied to the closure of Rikers Island.
Katal Leaders Marketa Edwards and Tara Cobbins share their experiences with parole during Tuesday’s rally on the Million Dollar Staircase.
The day of action culminated in a joint rally with the Repeal the #WalkingWhileTrans Ban Coalition on the steps of the Million Dollar Staircase. Coalition leaders shared compelling testimony outlining why both pieces of legislation are necessary to decarcerate New York State and reduce racial- and gender-based profiling. We are deeply thankful for all who joined us in solidarity to demand an end to the grave injustices that are permeating our communities.
It is time for the Legislature and the Governor to listen to the community. They must pass the #LessIsMoreNY Act to overhaul the state’s outdated, racially biased, and unjust community corrections system, shutter Rikers Island once and for all, and provide the reentry support people need to successfully transition back home after periods of incarceration.
Read our full release.
Join Us! #LessIsMoreNY Forum at NYU School of Law
Join us Tuesday, February 18 at the New York University School of Law for our #LessIsMoreNY Forum — a timely conversation about the issue of parole in New York State and reincarceration for technical violations of parole, and how the #LessIsMoreNY legislation would fix this. RSVP and Details.
To learn about our effort to pass #LessIsMoreNY and for more details about our upcoming #LessIsMoreNY Forum, contact Yan Snead at ysnead@katalcenter.org or at 518.360.1534.
Connecticut: Join Us for Our CT Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Call
With the 2020 Connecticut Legislative Session set to convene Wednesday, February 5, we invite you to join us on Thursday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for our Connecticut Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Monthly Call. Advocates and groups from across the state will share current initiatives, and identify and discuss criminal justice issues coming up in 2020 that will shape this year’s session.
RSVP for next Thursday’s call.
Governor Ned Lamont held a press conference this morning in Hartford to announce his first legislative proposal of 2020 for the General Assembly. Read more about his proposal.
To learn more about our work in Connecticut contact our lead community organizer, Kenyatta Thompson, at kthompson@katalcenter.org or 860.937.6094.
