Expand and Diversify the State Commission of Correction (SCOC)

We’re holding a press conference in Albany next Tuesday, March 25th from 10:30-11:30 AM to increase jail and prison oversight. We’ll be calling on the New York State Legislature to swiftly pass (S. 856)-Salazar / (A.2315)-Gallagher, which will expand and diversify the State Commission of Correction (SCOC).

With the recent killing of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons, four deaths at Rikers this month, and the multiple crises unfolding in correctional facilities across the state, this is a critical moment. The SCOC  is an independent body mandated with the constitutional authority to ensure that correctional facilities across New York – all local jails and state prisons – are “safe, stable and humane,” but for more than 20 years the SCOC has consistently failed to meet its responsibility.

That’s why we’re working on legislation to fix the SCOC by bringing greater accountability so that it meets its mandate with regard to jails and prisons throughout the state. Support for this legislation is growing; we currently have 55 community, advocacy, legal, and faith-based organizations signed on from across the state – click here to sign on your organization. For more information on this bill, check out our fact sheet here.

Can you join us on Tuesday, March 25th, in Albany to demand the passage of (S. 856)-Salazar / (A.2315)-Gallagher?

If you want to join us for our press conference or have any questions, please reach out to Yonah at Yonah@katalcenter.org. If you’re not able to make it in-person, we’ll be livestreaming the press conference on Katal’s Instagram