RAPP Campaign
Release Aging People in Prison Campaign
Nazish Dholakia, Vera Inst. of Justice — Bobbi Cobaugh wrote in Inquest that “the only way to atone for a murder was to become a better person.” While incarcerated in the New York State prison system, she earned a paralegal degree, associate and bachelor's degrees in sociology, and a master’s degree in criminal justice. She has completed—and taught—anger replacement programs. And she attends trauma counseling weekly...
Bobbi Cobaugh / Inquest — When I entered prison, I followed the rehabilitative trail of breadcrumbs set out for me. I was repeatedly told to maintain a clean disciplinary record, obtain an education, sign up for industry jobs, pet the trauma pony, and train a bomb-sniffing dog. Correctional employees encouraged me to embrace these programs so I could honor my victim and redeem my life. I was told, “New Yorkers believe in second chances.” ...
Chris Gelardi / New York Focus — “Does anyone care how long people stay in prison?" That’s what Carol Shapiro wants to know...
Devon Jane Schweizer, The Oracle: Former incarcerated individuals and current justice policy reform advocates Jose Saldaña, Anthony Dixon and Alton Lee sat before local community members on March 25 for the 12th annual Woodstock Film & Discussion Series to discuss “The Interview” and share their firsthand knowledge of New York’s prison and parole system...
Barbara Hanson Treen, New York Times: As a New York State parole commissioner for 12 years, I evaluated the readiness for release and risk to public safety of more than 75,000 incarcerated people. I saw these changes in people every day.
Yet in spite of those transformations, the number of aging long-termers warehoused in prisons has only increased in recent years...
Marta Nelson & Erica Bryant, Vera.org: At 68 years old, Greg Mingo was granted clemency and released from a New York State prison after being unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit. After spending more than 39 years in prison, he expected to die there...
By: Rachel Rippetoe, Law 360: Jose Saldana had long passed his minimum 25-year prison sentence as he prepared for his fifth parole hearing in November 2017....
By: Graham Rayman, New York Daily News - During the first four months of 2023, the state Parole Board released 45% of white prisoners who appeared before it, compared to 32.4% of all people of color who had hearings, researchers at NYU Law’s Center on Race, Inequality and the Law and the Vera Institute found...
By: Dennis Slattery, NY Daily News: Formerly incarcerated New Yorkers who are now making a difference in their communities will be honored Wednesday as advocates and lawmakers push for parole reforms.
By: David Slattery, NY Daily News ALBANY — Proponents of a pair of bills that would overhaul the state’s parole system renewed their push for change Wednesday as lawmakers held …
May 11, 2022: Arun Venugopal, Gothamist
March 22, 2022: Jonah Walters, Nonprofit Quarterly
