July 24, 2020: New York, New York
The Group Calls on Cuomo to Grant Emergency Clemencies and for Lawmakers to Pass Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole Bills
The Release Aging People in Prison Campaign released the following statement in response to breaking news that another incarcerated person has died from COVID-19 within the New York State prison system:
“We are outraged and devastated that another incarcerated person has died from COVID-19 in the New York State prison system. We’ve warned Governor Cuomo and lawmakers in Albany that this virus is still spreading in our state prisons and that more people would needlessly die unless they took immediate action. Because they didn’t act, another death is on their hands. Those in power must do everything they can to prevent more COVID-19 deaths behind bars. The only humane and effective way to do that is through release. Governor Cuomo must grant wide-sweeping, emergency clemencies. If the Governor doesn’t act, then Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins must pass the Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole bills. The lives of New Yorkers behind bars and their families depend on their actions.”
BACKGROUND: The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed today that a 17th person died from COVID-19 in the New York State prison system. The person was incarcerated at Green Haven
Correctional Facility–a maximum security prison with the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the NY State prison system. At least three people have died from COVID-19 at Green Haven. The person’s name and
identity have not been released.