QUESTIONS ADDRESS STAFF BRUTALITY, HALT LAW VIOLATIONS, AGING AND DEATH, PAROLE, AND VISITING RIGHTS
(New York) — Today, a coalition of more than 50 organizations sent a letter to Governor Hochul, legislative leaders, and all lawmakers with critical and urgent questions for them to ask of NYSDOCCS as they consider funding for the agency. Co-signers, which include Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP), NY Working Families Party, LiveOn NY, Citizen Action of New York, VOCAL-NY, the HALT Solitary Campaign, Kings Against Violence Initiative, and the Center for Community Alternatives, specifically urged lawmakers to get answers to questions regarding rampant staff brutality, violations of the HALT Solitary Confinement Law, aging, sickness, and death in state prisons, and visiting rights.
Jose Saldana, Director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP), a survivor of 38 years in prison and a crime survivor, said, “Every week, I get a phone call about another person dying in state prisons under what are at best questionable circumstances. During my time inside, I witnessed the most vicious brutality of my life inflicted by guards, none of whom were ever fired. …