In this issue…
Pressure behind #LessIsMoreNY!
In CT: Supporting Efforts to End Solitary
Please Take our 1-Minute Survey!
Katal at 5 – Anniversary Dialogue Series
Pressure builds for #LessIsMoreNY!
We increased pressure on New York elected officials this week to demand smart parole reform in New York with #LessIsMoreNY!
On Wednesday, we partnered with the New York Civil Liberties Union and the John Jay College Institute for Justice and Opportunity for a Tweet Storm directed at New York’s legislative leaders and the Governor, encouraging them to to take the nearly $700 million in savings that would come from the enactment of #LessIsMoreNY and re-invest the money on things and programs that New Yorkers actually need including support for reentry, housing, education, healthcare, and more.
Our bill sponsors joined us:
Bill sponsors Senator Brian Benjamin and Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest tweeting in support of #LessIsMoreNY
Here’s what’s next in New York:
- Join us for our next #LessIsMoreNY Day of Action on Wednesday, March 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Join us for our #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update Call on Thursday, March 25 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Join us Thursday evening, March 25 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., for a #LessIsMoreNY Town Hall with our Assembly bill sponsor, Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest.
In CT: Supporting Efforts to End Solitary
Katal Member Imani Pennant Speaks Outside the CT State Capitol in support of the PROTECT Act
On Thursday, we joined Stop Solitary CT outside the Capitol in Hartford where Katal member Imani Pennant spoke on his experience being incarcerated & subjected to solitary confinement as retaliation for protesting inhumane conditions in prisons during the #COVID19 pandemic. In addition to limiting the use of solitary confinement in Connecticut, the PROTECT act, S.B. No. 1059, will create a correctional ombudsman to conduct oversight, investigate and make recommendations to the CT Department of Correction, while also creating policy for a social contract for incarcerated people. Katal supports the legislation.
Imani’s remarks at the rally make it immediately clear why CT needs to take action now to limit the use of solitary confinement in prisons and jails; and add oversight for those who operate the state’s correctional facilities. Check out the full video of his speech on our twitter page!
And take a moment to catch up on our campaign to CUT Correctional Populations, SHUT Down Prisons, and INVEST the Savings Into Communities Most Impacted by Mass Incarceration here: #CutShutINVEST.
Please Take our 1-Minute Survey!
Can you take a 1-minute survey with us? As announced last week, we are changing the format of Katal’s Weekly Update to give our readers and supporters the choice to receive information about our work in either or both Connecticut and New York.
Katal at 5 – Anniversary Dialogue Series
As you likely now know, Katal turns 5 this year, and we’re marking the moment with an anniversary Dialogue Series. Join us on Monday March 29th, from 5:30 – 7:30 for our first Dialogue!
Keep practicing social distancing, wear your mask, wash your hands, and check in on your neighbors. If you want to get involved, learn more about our work, or just connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance health, equity, and justice for everyone. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org. Phone: 646.875.8822.
