On May 7, an informative and compelling webinar, The Criminal Legal System and the Impact on the Community and Relationship to Poverty, was presented and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of New York Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation Voting and Anti-Racism Committee (click to view). The webinar covered issues of mass incarceration that are the result of systemic racism. The speakers shared information about overhauling the criminal legal system by passing laws at the state level that support the concept of restorative justice.

Katie Schaffer, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at the Center for Community Alternatives was joined by a member of the organization, Thomas Gant, a formerly incarcerated person who is now advocating for the passage of three sentencing reform bills that form the Communities Not Cages campaign, Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Act, Second Look Act and Earned Time Act. Click for information and fact sheets. You can support this campaign by sending a message to your state legislators now.

Noel Casey, Westchester and Hudson Valley Community Organizer for Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and Greg Mingo, an organizer and formerly incarcerated person, spoke about the need to pass two parole justice bills, Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole. Click to read about the 2024 Campaign Platform (Elder Parole (S.2423/A.2035), Fair and Timely Parole (S.307/A.162) and A Fully Staffed Parole Board with Commissioners who Share our Core Values. Click here to use this form to contact your state legislators to urge them to pass these bills before the session ends in early June.

New York spends over $3 billion a year to keep people in state prisons. These funds could provide true public safety by supporting housing, jobs, food, education, and healthcare in communities. The campaigns have been gaining support and now is the time to finally address the racist legacy of mass incarceration. 

Please urge your NYS Assembly Person and Senator to bring these bills to a vote. Urge that they vote yes!