Mass Incarceration

RIKERS RECEIVERSHIP MUST DECARCERATE: VOCAL-NY RELEASES DEMANDS TO FOCUS RECEIVERSHIP ON CLOSING RIKERS

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org Demands Released Ahead of the Thursday’s Federal Monitor Hearing on Rikers Receivership NEW YORK — As a federal judge considers shifting management responsibility of Rikers Island to a receiver, VOCAL-NY released a fact sheet with public education and demands for receivership that moves New York City closer to decarceration. “The mere existence of Rikers is a humanitarian violation, […]

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City & State: Poll: New Yorkers support Wrongful Convictions Act

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Criminal justice advocates lauded the new poll as evidence Hochul should sign the bill. “This polling shows definitively what we’ve been saying for years: passing the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act is both good policy and good politics,” Nick Encalada-Malinowski, civil rights campaign director at VOCAL-NY, said in a statement. “The legislature has done its part

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Mayor Adams’ Budget Fails New Yorkers: VOCAL-NY Warns of Devastating Consequences to Come

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 MAYOR ADAMS’ BUDGET FAILS NEW YORKERS: VOCAL-NY WARNS OF DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES TO COME VOCAL-NY Joins Allies in Calling on Councilmembers to Vote NO on the Budget NEW YORK — Today, in response to a press conference announcing a handshake deal on Mayor Adams’ dangerous budget proposal, which includes a $2 billion

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VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS DISMISSAL OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS TIED TO CONVICTED NYPD OFFICERS; CALLS ON ASSEMBLY TO PASS CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, Mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS DISMISSAL OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS TIED TO CONVICTED NYPD OFFICERS; CALLS ON ASSEMBLY TO PASS CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Dismissed Over 300 Cases Brought by NYPD Officers Convicted of Crimes Related to Their Work NYS Assembly Will Come Back Into Session to Discuss Remaining Legislation Including

VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS DISMISSAL OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS TIED TO CONVICTED NYPD OFFICERS; CALLS ON ASSEMBLY TO PASS CHALLENGING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ACT Read More »

CITY & STATE: RIKERS OFFICIALS CHIP AWAY AT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES:

In the News / By

Even before officials’ recent moves to chip away at transparency, advocates questioned the accuracy of the data and other information being released by the department. Those concerns have only grown following the special report and the decision to no longer share information about deaths with the public, according to Eileen Maher, a Civil Rights Union

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CITY & STATE: OPINION: I’VE BEEN HOMELESS AND INCARCERATED. ERIC ADAMS WANTS TO CUT SERVICES THAT HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME.

In the News / By

I’ve had many times in my life where I’ve struggled. When I gained my freedom after being incarcerated, it wasn’t easy reentering my community. Or when I was a regular substance user and knew I would die if I continued on that path. Even with limited resources, I was able to get the help I

CITY & STATE: OPINION: I’VE BEEN HOMELESS AND INCARCERATED. ERIC ADAMS WANTS TO CUT SERVICES THAT HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME. Read More »

Unacceptable: VOCAL-NY Condemns Adams’ Plan to Funnel Asylum-Seekers Into Rikers

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org  UNACCEPTABLE: VOCAL-NY CONDEMNS ADAMS’ PLAN TO FUNNEL ASYLUM- SEEKERS INTO RIKERS NEW YORK — In response to the Adams’ Administration considering housing asylum-seekers on Rikers Island, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Eileen Maher, a leader with VOCAL-NY’s Civil Rights Union who was formerly detained on Rikers: “Rikers Island is

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GOTHAM GAZETTE: SEEKING SECOND TERM, KATZ FACES CHALLENGE IN QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRIMARY:

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“If it’s between Katz and Grasso, I think regardless of the outcome, it’s bad news for Queens voters who want to see decarceration,” said Keli Young, civil rights campaign coordinator for VOCAL-NY, a progressive advocacy group. “Grasso is positioning himself to the right of Katz…and DA Katz is a carceral DA. The best that can

GOTHAM GAZETTE: SEEKING SECOND TERM, KATZ FACES CHALLENGE IN QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRIMARY: Read More »

THE GUARDIAN: ‘IT’S A FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM’: BEFORE JORDAN NEELY WAS KILLED, HE WAS DISCARDED

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After ageing out of foster care, Neely became homeless and began spending nights on the streets, in the subway system and New York City’s shelters. New York City is one of the only places in the United States with a “right to shelter”: by law, authorities must provide a clean bed for the city’s homeless

THE GUARDIAN: ‘IT’S A FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM’: BEFORE JORDAN NEELY WAS KILLED, HE WAS DISCARDED Read More »

Shame on Gov. Hochul: Final State Budget Fails Marginalized New Yorkers Across the Board; All Eyes on Legislature to Take Lead

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org  SHAME ON GOV. HOCHUL: FINAL STATE BUDGET FAILS MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS ACROSS THE BOARD; ALL EYES ON LEGISLATURE TO TAKE LEAD Governor Hochul Stripped the Rights And Safety of Marginalized Communities — No Different Than GOP-Held States Across the Country NEW YORK — Last night, lawmakers voted to pass a final New York State

Shame on Gov. Hochul: Final State Budget Fails Marginalized New Yorkers Across the Board; All Eyes on Legislature to Take Lead Read More »

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