Demanding End to Prison Abuse
Participants Demand Basic Rights for Incarcerated People to Improve Safety, Fair and Timely Pathways to Release from Prison, and Independent Oversight
Today, survivors of prison guard brutality and sexual abuse and the families of incarcerated people rallied outside Governor Hochul’s office in NYC and by the entrance to the Capitol in Albany to demand an end to prison guard brutality and sexual assaults by staff. This week, ahead of the unsealing of indictments against prison guards for the brutal murder of Robert Brooks at Marcy Prison, guards in prisons across the state are engaging in illegal work stoppages, leaving thousands of incarcerated people with limited or no access to food, medicine, medical care, visits, and programs.
The murder of Robert Brooks followed decades of well-documented murder and brutality by prison staff, including the murders of Leonard Strickland, Karl Taylor, Samuel Harrell, and many others, along with the rapes of predominately incarcerated women by prison staff. At the rally, participants called for:
Basic rights for incarcerated people to improve conditions and ensure safety.
Fair pathways to release consideration for incarcerated individuals.
Independent oversight commission that includes formerly incarcerated people and families with incarcerated loved ones.
These demands include the full implementation of the HALT Solitary Law, passage of the Rights Behind Bars bill, and common-sense parole justice measures such as the Elder Parole bill and the Fair & Timely Parole bill. Additionally, they seek overdue sentencing reforms like the Second Look Act, the Earned Time Act, and the Marvin Mayfield Act.
Statements from Advocates and Impacted Individuals
Jose Saldana, Director of the RAPP Campaign:“We saw the lynching, but we didn’t see the begging and the crying. We don’t see the cracking of skulls and the heads hitting the bars. Even when a death doesn’t occur, permanent damage does. We need to end this abuse and hold guards accountable, but ultimately we need to change the law so people have pathways to release and safety at home with their loved ones. That’s why we fight for parole justice.”
Anisah Sabur, of the HALT Solitary Campaign:“It was horrifying to watch as they beat that man to death. It’s more horrifying to know that we have rogue officers who fail to realize that we are human beings. We do not deserve to be beaten to death for one mistake in our lives.”
TeAna Taylor, Associate Director of the RAPP Campaign: “My father is right in the middle of this brutal retaliation. It’s terrifying and infuriating how they are treating him and every other person in New York State prisons. My father was sentenced to prison but not to constant dehumanization. Guards are creating a false crisis because they are finally being held accountable for abuses. We demand an end to this abuse and accountability for decades of brutality and killings.”
Theresa Grady, RAPP Campaign Leader from Harlem: “My husband was beaten so badly by guards at Attica I couldn’t even recognize him. They wouldn’t even let me into the hospital to see him until I fought for it. We can’t let them keep doing this.”
Caroline Hansen, RAPP Campaign Leader from Long Island:“My husband has only gotten spoiled milk and one cheese sandwich since yesterday afternoon. It’s no coincidence that guards are striking while their friends get indicted for murdering Robert Brooks. My husband was sentenced to death by incarceration at 20 years old. He’s now 49. Yesterday, at 3:08 PM, guards took all 9 puppies from his prison because conditions were deemed unfit for them. If it’s too bad for animals, imagine how our loved ones are treated.”
Stanley Bellamy, RAPP NYC Organizer:“I served 38.5 years, and I still have a brother inside. What’s happening today is a longstanding, normalized practice. Guards brutalize, torture, and murder. They deny people medical treatment and demean visiting family members. That’s why we need to pass the Rights Behind Bars bill and parole justice measures like Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills.”
Call to Action from Lawmakers and Activists
New York State Assembly Member Brian Cunningham:“It’s time to unite in treating incarcerated individuals with dignity. That means aligning our state legislature and courts to pass parole justice and sentencing reform now.”
Jeannie Colon, RAPP Leader: “We hold our own loved ones accountable even as they hold themselves accountable. No one holds the guards accountable!”
Vanessa Santiago, Queens Community Leader with RAPP: “We are the victims. I was sexually assaulted and attacked by four guards. PREA is ineffective. They work for DOCCS and bury all the abuse. I dealt with abuse all 17 years I was inside.”
Roni Minter, Founder of Freedom Unshackled:(Survivor testimony continues...)