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Next week, New York’s Senate will hold a hearing on COVID-19 in jails and prisons. Why does this matter?
A THREAD. 1/
A THREAD. 1/
In New York City, the infection rate in city jails continues to be over 4x the COVID-19 rate in the city as a whole.
And while in late April, the number of people in jail everyday in NYC dropped below 4,000, it's back up to nearly 4,300.
And while in late April, the number of people in jail everyday in NYC dropped below 4,000, it's back up to nearly 4,300.
The first person to die of COVID-19 at Rikers was locked up on a technical parole violation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/nyregion/rikers-coronavirus-deaths-parolees.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/nyregion/rikers-coronavirus-deaths-parolees.html
While powerful organizing has meant there are far fewer people locked up pretrial or on parole violations, thousands still are.
And because of bail reform rollbacks, the number of New Yorkers incarcerated on money bail they cannot afford up is increasing.
And because of bail reform rollbacks, the number of New Yorkers incarcerated on money bail they cannot afford up is increasing.
In New York State prisons, at least 17 people have passed away from COVID-19 behind bars. Leonard Carter. Benjamin Smalls. Lulu Benson-Seay. https://newrepublic.com/article/157589/death-survivor
Leonard Carter died just six weeks away from his release date having spent decades behind bars. His sister continues to speak out against the public health nightmare of incarceration. https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-inmate-dead-queens-correctional-facility-covid-19-20200421-7t3mecarqfbhzpkg4bfr2bppsm-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1V_kC41FL0PpIEGxmyQ56g_7ZpF3QeXyzllytKLBvqNa7CMB2U6wr6y0c
Black and Latinx New Yorkers have been hardest hit on both sides of the wall. 80% of the people who have died of COVID-19 in state prisons have been Black or Latinx. https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-prison-deaths-blacks-disproportionate-20200514-xjk4v5wowrhrfpiil5gevbgyui-story.html
Incarceration is a public health crisis. New York's legislature must take action to #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary #EndPretrialDetention #DecarcerateNY.
We call on @AndreaSCousins & @CarlHeastie to pass:
Elder Parole
Fair & Timely Parole
HALT Solitary Confinement
We call on @AndreaSCousins & @CarlHeastie to pass:
Elder Parole Fair & Timely Parole HALT Solitary Confinement
While we fight for freedom, we must demand that all incarcerated New Yorkers have adequate PPE and access to testing, including new surgical masks each week.
Join us on Sept. 22nd at 9am for a press conference. Register here: http://bit.ly/COVID-hearing
Join us on Sept. 22nd at 9am for a press conference. Register here: http://bit.ly/COVID-hearing
Then watch the hearing chaired by @NYSenatorRivera & @LuisSepulvedaNY as we call on our elected officials to #FreeOurElders #HALTsolitary & demand transparency and accountability from DOCCS.
Sept. 22nd at 10am.
Watch here:
https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/september-22-2020/joint-public-hearing-discuss-impact-covid-19-prisons-and
Sept. 22nd at 10am.
Watch here:
https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/september-22-2020/joint-public-hearing-discuss-impact-covid-19-prisons-and
