Dear Reader,
Here we are, in the last month of 2006. We’ve come a long way in the past year. Building Bridges considers it an honor to be part of this network, and have taken great satisfaction in reporting [May issue] on the birth of a new organization, the Coalition of Families of NYS Lifers, the successes of ICARE, and the rousing success of Family Empowerment Day 2, among others. As we get ready for 2007 we might want to take some time to appreciate all we accomplished in 2006 and the many new friends we made as we worked together. Then let’s roll up our sleeves and continue the work we started: getting signatures on the letter to Gov. Spitzer and on the petition for Parole reform, as well as begin new projects. Read on to see what others are saying and doing.
May your holidays contain peace and joy, and may you feel, as we do, that we are family and we are here to support each other.
Articles:
1. FED2 Follow-up Meeting - Coordinators discuss past experiences and future plans. FED2’s participants will set 2007 agenda. Robert Isseks and Peter Sells to be interviewed on Dec 3 and FED2 speeches broadcast Dec 12 on the Fancy Broccoli Show .
2. Inmate Family Committees and Council - Proposal for an Inmate Family Committee, similar in function to a facility Inmate Liaison Committee, but serving as the voice of inmate family members rather than inmates. The Inmate Family Council would work with the Commissioner and the Department's Central Office.
3. Interfaith Initiatives - Blessings Beyond Bars, a new prison ministry under the auspices of progressive Faith Evangelical Ministries, in Troy, N.Y. invites new members; ICARE advocates for legislation, some of which passed last year; Justice Committee at FUUSA engages in numerous efforts to involve Unitarians in criminal justice reforms; Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs will vote in December on whether to sign on as a church to NYADP's petition calling for an end to capital punishment in New York State.
4. Meetings - announcing new meetings and new times for on-going meetings
5. NY City Prisons - The Board of Corrections met on November 9, 2006 to discuss the proposed revisions to its Minimum Standards for New York City Correctional Facilities.
6 Parole Article - Joan Coazum was granted parole on eve of a contempt hearing against the parole board.
7. Parole Release Info? - Please report parole releases to Building Bridges for publication
8. Parole Story - John Valverde has fulfilled the requirements of the Executive Law in a most exemplary fashion. Yet, John has already been denied parole three times.
9. Radio Programs - Fancy Broccoli will be interviewing Robert Isseks on December 3, and broadcasting the Family Empowerment Day 2 speeches on December 12
10. Reentry Article - Many former inmates slip through the cracks and end up jobless and homeless - and two-thirds of them get rearrested within three years. The sensible alternative to this would be to carve out a slice of the city and state Correction budgets - 5% or about $18 million a year would be a good start - and invest it in housing, jobs, education and addiction treatment right there in [their home community]. quoted from article by Errol Louis in NY Daily News
11. Reentry Conference - Free day-long conference on December 6 from 8am to 3:30 pm, at New York University; a series of facilitated panels between practitioners, advocates, people directly affected by the criminal justice system, New York State and New York City criminal justice and workforce development policymakers and other stakeholders.
12 Ride Board - look here for ride sharing to prisons
13. Transportation to Prisons - from Buffalo and the Capital District, low cost. Please tell us about options in your area....
14. Words from Inside - “What binds us to this unjust, cruel world called prison? ...We can hold on but so long.”
15. Words from Ramon - “Are you getting your money’s worth? What is the return on your $493,000 investment for the 14.5 years of my incarceration?”
1. FED2 FOLLOW-UP MEETING
Judith Brink, Mark Chapman, and Willie Thomas, three of the coordinators of Family Empowerment Day 2, met on 11/11 to discuss the experience and talk about where to go from here. We agreed that it was not up to us to decide where to go from here. It is up to you. Building Bridges will continue to work as the communications link, so your ideas can come to us and readers can join those whose ideas are similar. Please make sure to include ways other readers can contact you. The three of us will be happy to serve as consultants for whatever comes next. We also decided to work together to continue putting pressure on Governor Elect Eliot Spitzer to do the right thing regarding parole. We need you to continue to gather signatures on the letter [enclosed in November’s issue] to Spitzer. In early January Mark will call the governor’s office, and begin establishing a relationship with the staff member in charge of criminal justice/prison issues. He will ask how many letters they’ve received, and what the governor’s response is. Before ending the call Mark will make an appointment for members of the Coalition of Family and Community to have a face to face meeting with Governor Spitzer or his representative. Following the phone call and meeting, we hope to have some sense of what we can expect from our new Governor in respect to our issues. We commit to pursue parole justice until we see some positive changes, and we count on your continued support, as you can count on ours. The Otisville Lifers began this, and many of them are still being denied parole releases, despite their readiness. ReEntry must seem like a distant possibility for them, but we have fanned the winds of change and expect to soon be preparing for their successful reentry into our communities.
2. INMATE FAMILY COMMITTEES AND COUNCIL
My proposal for Inmate Family Committees and Inmate Family Council would create a committee at each of the State's correctional facilities comprised of inmate family members in order to foster positive communication between inmate family members and the facility administration, address family-related issues and provide suggestions for family-related programs to the administration, all with the intent of promoting and maintaining family ties and enhancing the rehabilitation of inmates. The Inmate Family Committee is similar in function to a facility Inmate Liaison Committee, but would serve as the voice of inmate family members rather than inmates.
Whereas the Inmate Family Committees address issues at local facilities, the Inmate Family Council will work with the Commissioner and the Department's Central Office on issues which effect statewide or multiple facility inmate family issues and programs. The Inmate Family Committees would liaison with the Inmate Family Council to achieve common goals and to provide a clearinghouse for information from the individual Inmate Family Committees.
A complete copy of the proposal is available on the Inmate Family Council's website at www.ifc-ny.com. I encourage everyone to read this proposal and support it by writing to the Commissioner and indicating your support. One of our goals is to see regulations codified under Title 7 of the New York Code, Rules and Regulations recognizing the Inmate Family Committees and Council, but this can only be accomplished if our legislatures hear from enough people, so please write! It will only take a few minutes of your time, and your letter can make a difference.
Inmate Family Committees will become a reality if everyone will help out and support this proposal by writing letters, sending emails, and making phone calls. Inmate family members must have a voice with the DOCS, and to ensure we accomplish this goal, you must raise your voice now. Please go online, read the proposal, and support it fully.
Thank you, Pete S.
3. INTERFAITH EFFORTS:
BLESSINGS BEYOND BARS
A new prison ministry under the auspices of progressive Faith Evangelical Ministries, Inc. 2801-2805 Fifth Avenue, Troy, N.Y. 12180 invites those of you from the capital district and beyond to be our guests for services. Our church welcomes former inmates and their families and families who currently have incarcerated loved ones. Our new prison ministry is implementing programs specifically for your needs!! Some of our outreach services will include the following:
Literacy programs, Individual and Family Counseling, Prayer and Healing, Letter writing, Job Counseling, Parenting Skills, Reentry Support and other programs specified by your requests!! Call the church for worship times and more information Church number (518)272-7217, prison ministry coordinator (518) 383-5726
ICARE [Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment]
ICARE has grown tremendously in the first year of our “Restoration of Rights” campaign: we have point people in five New York State regions who are taking the initiative to set up local “Restoration of Rights” meetings with their representatives and we have developed strong relationships with key staff within the legislature. We have also begun to work with New York City council staff to provide official birth certificates to incarcerated men and women, and without charge. During the 2007 legislation session we will be proposing legislation on occupational licenses, child support, and higher education in addition to supporting existing legislation. Locally, we will launch a “Circles of Care” prison ministry project, led by our new Outreach Coordinator, Willie Thomas.
Bills we support and their current status:
PASSED: Sentencing and Reintegration: S7588, sponsored by Senator Dale Volker. Same as A10832, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry.
This amends the penal law to promote reintegration at the time of sentencing.
DID NOT PASS EITHER HOUSE: Employment: S7730, sponsored by Senator Dale Volker. Similar to A10986, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry.
This bill amends Corrections Law 23-a to extend protection from discrimination to current employees and licensees with criminal convictions.
DID NOT PASS THE ASSEMBLY: Higher Education: A11652, sponsored by Keith Wright. This amendment would render it illegal for an institution of higher education to flatly discriminate against individuals with criminal convictions simply because of a criminal record.
DID NOT PASS EITHER HOUSE: Sealing of Criminal Convictions (Second Chance Act): A10988, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry. No Senatorial sponsor. .
The proposed bill, which has support from former mayor Ed Koch, allows individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses to seal their criminal records after a period of time and if they have completed certain programs (such as substance abuse).
DiD NOT PASS EITHER HOUSE: Health Care: A03924, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry. No Senatorial sponsor. The Bill requires that an application for medical assistance through Medicaid be filed for every inmate confined to a state or local correctional facility, 90 days before their release.
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY: Voting: Sponsored by Assemblymember Keith Wright. No Senatorial sponsor (we have approached Senator Flanagan).
This bill requires that both the Department of Correctional Services and the Division of Parole notify all persons who reach their maximum sentence of imprisonment about their right to vote in writing and that the State Board of Elections be notified about all persons who are again eligible to vote. The State Board of Elections must then transmit this information to all local boards of elections.
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY: Telephone Justice: S5299-C, sponsored by Senator Michael Nozzolio. Same as A07231-C, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry. .
Provides inmates with telephone services utilizing a debit card system and reasonable collect call system rates. It will likely pass the Assembly this year (as it did last year). It is currently in the Finance committee in the Senate. Assemblymember Aubry and Senator Michael Nozzolio have passed the bills out of committees.
JUSTICE COMMITTEE AT FUUSA
Outreach to other congregations to involve them with prisoners, a trip to introduce congregation members to the Otisville Lifers, the presentation of Parole Profiles and opportunities for support, during Sunday’s Social Hour, an investigation of Albany resources for released parolees, the Spitzer letter campaign, request for congregational support of ICARE's Restoration of Rights Campaign, and presenting opportunities to send Holiday cards to people in prison are all activities in process at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
“Capital Punishment: The Inevitability of Caprice and Mistake" a presentation by Jack Carter, Sunday, November 26. Jack Carter is a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs and a lawyer for New York State. His presentation was the culmination of the UUCSS Social Justice Committee's three year educational program on the death penalty. The congregation will vote in December on whether to sign on as a church to NYADP's petition calling for an end to capital punishment in New York State.
CRIMINON
Thanks to all who responded to the article on Criminon(tm) and are now profiting from their Way to Happiness correspondence course. I would like to share with you another inmate success story.
" I was a sad, violent, lost man who had given up on life. I'd lost faith and these walls and blood seemed to be the size of my hope. Five years ago out of boredom I started a Journey of Self; A Journey of Growth; an unknown trial of myself. I have become a man who can be trusted, a man who has found and embraced my spirit. I'm no longer part of any gang. I've earned and won my freedom from solitary. I've gained my family back. I've become a brother, a son, a friend worth having. I've even learned to like myself, as strange as that may seem. And believe it or not, parole is a very real possibility for me. These courses have the tools to break the chains we've tied ourselves with. They can teach us that no matter where we are or how thick the bars are, we have the keys to our own freedom. "
inmate A.H.
The Way to Happiness course teaches common sense values that anyone can use to live a stable and productive life and, most importantly, to regain and maintain self-respect. To sign up for the course, write: Criminon, P.O.Box 231, Boothbay, Maine 04537
4. MEETINGS
**NEW**. Buffalo: Ex-Offender Support Group for Men meets on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 at GROUP Ministries, Inc., 1333 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. The program is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL and provides an opportunity to discuss issues of Family Life, Housing, Recidivism, Employment, Rights of Ex-Offenders, etc. For more information: 716-539-1844.
**NEW Time and Place**Poughkeepsie PFNY Support Group will move to Room 306 of the Main Building of Family Partnership at 29 North Hamilton St. Poughkeepsie, NY. We are no longer in the annex building. Meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7pm.
The Coalition for Restorative Justice will meet at 6pm, one hour before the Poughkeepsie PFNY meetings.
5. NYC PRISONS
Board of Corrections Update:
The Board of Corrections met on November 9, 2006 to discuss the proposed revisions to its Minimum Standards for New York City Correctional Facilities. The Board did not announce the substance of the revisions at this meeting, but they did say that the Law Department was expected to finish its review of the proposed revisions within the next few days. They also said that they were approximately a week away from “moving forward” with the announcement.
What This Is About:
The Board of Correction’s Minimum Standards set the basic rules for humane treatment of prisoners in the jail system. These rules cover nearly every aspect of daily life, from the right of pre-trial detainees to wear their own clothing to the number of people who may be crowded into dormitories. These rules also affect families, covering visiting policies, telephone access, and correspondence with jail inmates. (Medical and mental health care are addressed in a separate set of standards that are not at issue -- yet.)
The Board is proposing revisions to these rules, but the proposed new standards were formulated by a subcommittee of the Board in closed meetings with the Department of Correction. Because the process has not been open to the public so far, we do not yet know the substance of the revisions. Everything we have heard, however, suggests that the revisions will worsen how people in the jails are treated: the new rules will likely mean less autonomy and more crowding for the people who are held, as well as fewer opportunities for visits and phone contact with family and friends.
What The Board Has Done So Far:
At its last meeting, the Board voted to send the proposed revisions to the New York City Law Department for review, and indicated that the revisions will be released for public comment after that. The Board also has announced that they will allow a 90-day comment period before the final rules are adopted.
After we learn the specifics of the proposed changes, we will be in touch again to set up a meeting to discuss how we should respond. If you or your organization would like to be part of our planning process, please contact Amanda Lockshin at ajlockshin@legal-aid.org,
or (212) 577-3344. Be aware that we may not be able to get back to you right away, but we will add you to our list and we will be in touch as soon as we know more.
- Thank you! The Legal Aid Society
On the other hand, the Albany Times Union carried a piece on the front page of their Sunday 11/26./06 edition which was originally published in the Washington Post by Michael Powell on Saturday 11/23/06, stating that : “Big Apple takes bite from city crime rate: Rikers Island jail cells empty as policies counter prison trends”. The article claims that New York City has seen the fastest drop in crime in the nation, and “it happened while locking up a lot less people ... The number of prisoners in the city has dropped from 21,449 in 1993 to 14,129 this past week.” ..."If you want to drive down crime, the experience of New York shows that it's ridiculous to spend your first dollar building more prison cells," said Michael Jacobson, who served as New York's correction commissioner for former mayor Rudolph Giuliani and now is president of the Vera Institute of Justice, which studies crime-fighting trends worldwide. "I can't tell you exactly why violent crime in New York declined by twice the national rate. But I can tell you this: It wasn't because we locked up more people."..."Crime is down and people realize, sure, we can lock up more people, but that's why your kid's pre-K class has 35 kids -- all the money is going to prisons," Jacobson says....Barry Campbell, who works at the Fortune Society, a prison reform organization in Manhattan, did 15 years behind bars on sundry charges. . Ask him about New York's experience in driving down imprisonment and crime, and he is not surprised. "Prison is a place where someone heading down a path of destruction is propelled at 90 miles an hour."
6. PAROLE ARTICLE
Joan Coazum was granted parole on eve of a contempt hearing against the parole board - She had served nearly 23 years of a 15 - Life sentence for a 1981 felony murder. The next day a sympathetic judge, who had previously ordered the parole board to grant her a new hearing after their last denial, was scheduled to hear a contempt motion based on the parole board’s second denial, this time citing her “escalating criminal conduct” despite no evidence to support that claim. Ms. Coaxum was released within five days. It usually takes several weeks before a paroled inmate is set free. This story was reported by John Caher, Albany Bureau Chief of the NY Law Journal, on 11/1/06
7. PAROLE RELEASE INFO?
If anyone knows the statistics for parole releases for November, whether for a specific prison or for all, including the number of violent felony releases and releases of Lifers, please report them to Building Bridges for publication. We want to know if there is a new trend toward appropriate releases. [this came in today, after the paper copy was printed: Otisville: with Jenifer Arena, recent lame duck appointment to Board of Parole, presiding: 31 men were heard. 6 were released, 3 of them for deportation, 1 with a non-violent crime, and 2 with violent crimes. The latter three had Life at the end. One of the 25 who were not granted parole release was denied for the 7th time.]
8. PAROLE STORY
December 1, 2006
In 1991, John ended the life of a Manhattan serial rapist known as the beast of West Street. This man had raped John's girlfriend. After going to the police on 4 separate occasions and being told there was nothing they could do, John used poor judgment and decided to confront the offender on his own. He wanted the offender to know of the damage he had caused and make the offender feel accountable in some way. This naive attempt to do what was right, turned very wrong. During his trial the District Attorney from New York County portrayed John's crime as a murder. We understand the D.A's professional desire to obtain a conviction on the most serious charge, but a jury completely rejected this portrayal, acquitted John of murder, and found that John acted under extreme emotional distress when he fired one fatal bullet. Instead of murder, John was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. John's case was highly publicized in the media and he appeared on The Donahue Show, the Maury Povich Show, and Inside Edition while out on bail in 1992. During sentencing, the judge stated that she was making an example of John to send the message that taking the law into one's own hands will not be tolerated. John was sentenced to 8 - 24 years and 2-6 years, respectively, for an aggregate of 10 to 30 years in prison. This made him eligible for parole at the ten year mark, as long as he met all the standards outlined in Executive Law 259-i and displayed remorse, responsibility, redemption and rehabilitation. We believe that no one exemplifies these more than John Valverde and that no one has fulfilled the requirements of the Executive Law in a more exemplary fashion. Yet, John has already been denied parole three times.
Frank Valverde, Rivkin Radler LLP.
926 Reckson Plaza
Uniondale, New York 11556-0926
(516) 357-3339
9. RADIO PROGRAMS
Fancy Broccoli will be interviewing Robert Isseks on December 3, and broadcasting the Family Empowerment Day 2 speeches on December 12. Both programs are from 3 - 6pm on Independent Radio WVKR 91.3 FM, Poughkeepsie NY. WVKR streams online - you can go to www.Live365.com and search for WVKR.
10. REENTRY ARTICLE IN THE NY DAILY NEWS
What N.Y. owes ex-cons - and their neighbors, by Errol Louis, originally published on November 10, 2006 - Daily News
Summary by BB Editor:
127,000 people are released from prisons and jails around the state every year. On average, 55% of state prisoners come home within 48 months. Most are from New York City - and from a handful of our neighborhoods. The communities where most of the ex-prisoners will end up - upper Manhattan , the South Bronx, central Brooklyn and southeast Queens - are already overwhelmed by poverty and other problems. Many former inmates slip through the cracks and end up jobless and homeless - and two-thirds of them get rearrested within three years. The sensible alternative to this would be to carve out a slice of the city and state Correction budgets - 5% or about $18 million a year would be a good start - and invest it in housing, jobs, education and addiction treatment right there in Brownsville. The savings, in human and economic terms, would be profound and immediate.
Chauncy Parker of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and a few other forward-looking New York officials - notably, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs and city Correction Commissioner Martin Horn - have spent the last few years laying the groundwork for a new approach to reentry. They have lately joined forces with thinkers like Jeremy Travis , the new president of John Jay College, and Susan Tucker of the Open Society Institute to push for radical changes in how New York spends its jail and prison dollars.
"We overuse incarceration," says Horn, who now spends $10 million a year on reentry programs for inmates leaving Rikers - more than any city or county in America .
11. REENTRY CONFERENCE
If anyone is planning to attend this event and would be willing to take Prison Action Network literature, along with copies of the letter to Spitzer and the Parole Mandate petition, please let us know.
"NYS, Reentry and Employment: A Current Snapshot and Recommendations for the Future"
This free day-long conference will take place on December 6, 2006 from 8am to 3:30 pm EST, at New York University’s Vanderbilt Hall in the Greenberg Lounge. This event will be a series of facilitated panels between practitioners, advocates, people directly affected by the criminal justice system, New York State and New York City criminal justice and workforce development policymakers and other stakeholders. To ensure meaningful community participation and make the event more engaging, we have carved out time from each session for questions from the audience. We hope you will be able to take advantage of this early notification and plan to join us at Vanderbilt Hall on December 6, 2006.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to gmartin@hirenetwork.org,
or phone Glen Martin at (212) 243-1313, x 132, as seating for this event will be limited and reserved on a first come basis.
12. RIDE BOARD
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Adirondack from Albany - Tanya and son Anthony - tanyaj810@netzero.net
To Greenhaven from Albany - just Tanya - see above
13. TRANSPORTATION TO PRISON
From Buffalo:
New bus service to Wende, Attica, Wyoming, Orleans, Albion - "CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES" will be providing weekend (Saturday and Sunday) van service for family and loved ones who desire to visit their husbands, wives, friends, and significant others who are incarcerated throughout various Correctional Facilities located in Western New York. The round trip cost will be $40. The cost for children requiring a seat, age 12 and under, is $10. Those who sign up for December's first run, will be charged a discounted price of $25. This service is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 16, 2006.
For additional information: Mr. Bruce Betton- 716-605-3179, Ms. Karima Amin- 716-834-8438
From Capital District:
Rides are offered by volunteers of the First Unitarian Universalist Society’s Justice Committee, for a donation of any size, with the following limitations. Please contact us at 518 253-7533 if you need a ride.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays only
the prison must be within 150 miles of Albany [300 miles round trip]
driver is willing to wait 2-3 hours while you visit
driver is willing to start, from your home, as early as 8:00 A.M.
driver is willing to get back to Albany as late as 6:00 P.M.
car seats 5, though for a trip of 150 miles, sitting in the middle of the back seat would be a tight squeeze.
From Albany/Troy:
The NEST Prison Shuttle schedule includes a trip to McGregor, Washington and Great Meadow on Dec 2, and Coxsackie, Greene, and Hudson Correctional Facilities on Saturday, Dec 9 and Saturday, Dec 23 from Oakwood Ave. Presbyterian Church, Troy at 7 AM and Albany Greyhound at 7:15 AM. The Shuttle trip to Utica (Midstate, Marcy, Oneida and Mohawk facilities) leaves Oakwood parking lot at 5 AM, and Albany Greyhound at 5:15 on Dec 16. Call Linda O’Malley for prices and reservations at 273-5199.
14. WORDS FROM INSIDE
REALITY
Loflin Jackson 93A2234
What binds us to this unjust, cruel world called prison? Our measly possessions are worthless and our time, if not spent in study, reflection, self-improvement and self-empowerment, is in vain. Having much time to think you really can scrutinize this world in and out. Throughout this nation said to be free with equal opportunity there is no single spot however desolate where a man can place himself and say he’s safe and free. The laws that govern us have been trampled upon by men thought to be above the law and therefore untouchable. they advocate chaos and destruction, make rules and laws impossible to follow. However they are portrayed to be of a warm heart and good spirit to the public’s eye.
My friend, until we and those like us have been rescued and released from the dark prison houses there shall be no safe place to seek asylum. There are terrible chastisements which have been inflicted upon us in prison throughout this country. Unjust parole practices have been perpetrated upon us not unlike in the days of slavery. Not in body but in mind and spirit. When, when shall we unite as human beings and bring about social justice reform? We can hold on but so long.
15. WORDS FROM RAMON
E PLURIBUS UNUM / OUT OF MANY, ONE
I am a man convicted of a crime and sent to prison to be resocialized with the skills, knowledge and ability to be sent back to society and live a law abiding life. That is why prisons are called ‘Correctional Facilities”; that is what the tax payer pays approximately $34,000. each year for: a recycled human being.
This prisoner doesn’t feel he actually got $34,000. worth of goods and services during my entire 12.5 year prison term, plus 24 month old. But the big question remains, are you getting your money’s worth? What is the return on your $493,000. investment for the 14.5 years of my incarceration? Let’s also not forget the State Parole Board, which is comprised of nineteen appointees of Governor George Pataki, who are collectively paid $1,979,600. of your money annually with perks and benefits, and who disregarded the law and in essence resentenced me to another two years behind bars. All done with the full knowledge that there is nothing more that I need, am required to take, or even have available to me; knowing it would cost you another $68.000.
That’s close to half a million dollars just to keep me behind bars; someone who has already paid his debt, recognizes his error, is remorseful and has been rehabilitated to the extent that I am parole and community ready.
Of course, I’m not the only one, there are at a minimum 5,000 (a moderate estimate) of parole and comity ready prisoners who are members of the ever-growing Deuce Club after serving long periods of incarceration. Do the math. To add insult to injury, did you know that since 1995 Governor Pataki’s administration also quietly pocketed over $200 million in tax dollars in Federal Grants to keep parole eligible prisoners beyond their already overpriced minimum sentences?
Since the minimum sentence is the penal sanction equal to the severity of the crime, any punishment contemplated by the Court, acting on the community’s behalf , was satisfied when I completed my Court imposed minimum sentence.
By any objective criteria I should be released, so there’s no plausible reason why I haven’t been. What your money is really spent on remains a mystery, but always remember you heard it here first...E PLURIBUS UNUM.
A Conscious Individual,
Ramon Gonzalez, 92A7663
Friday, December 01, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
November 2006
Hello everyone, and a big welcome to our new readers!
The November edition of Building Bridges is going out to the many people who learned of us for the first time at Family Empowerment Day 2, as well as to our regular subscribers. This issue of Building Bridges will be an exception to the usual format (see archives) because it’s devoted solely to a report of the day we will be remembering for years to come.
Yes! Family Empowerment Day 2 was a fabulous success! Those who’ve contacted us all agree that it was an exciting, inspiring, and informative event. The space was alive with energy. Hope was reborn in the hearts of many people who thought it had died. Lots of us left feeling that we had just been part of something transformative. It was the energy and the commitment of those who attended, and those could not but supported us, that made the day what it was, and we cannot replicate that with words on a page, but we will share our impressions and our statistics with you, and promise you that this was not a one day thing. We started something, and the people who were there will not let it die. People are calling and writing asking what’s next. In these pages you will find actions you can take: getting more signatures on the parole petition, getting your friends to sign and mail the letter to Eliot Spitzer, letting your incarcerated loved ones know about the class action suit and what they can do to help, and VOTING on November 7th.
What are you doing, or planning to do, that you need help with? Write, call or email us at prisonaction@hotmail.com to let us know and spread the word.
A huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who had any involvement in the success of the day! It was not the result of one, or even a few, people’s efforts, but it was the piece that each person contributed which together with everyone else’s created a day we won’t soon forget.
As the Otisville Lifers wrote in the closing paragraph of the written program: “In making personal preparations and sacrifices for Family Empowerment Day 2, you should all realize that you have individually and collectively adopted the concepts of Family and Community, and earned your position within the Coalition. We look forward to your continued support, every year, with Family Empowerment Day events. Together we can make anything happen! Thank You All.”
ARTICLES:
1. Comments on FED2
2. Report on attendance, signatures, finances, film and audio CDs, etc.
3. Robert Isseks, Esq., requests information to support class action suit.
4. Judge orders parole release
5. Ride Board - look here for ride sharing to prisons
6. Letter to Eliot Spitzer
7. Parole Petition for signing
CORRECTION: The statistics we sent last month on Parole Releases [27 paroled at Otisville, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group.] were inaccurate. The correct figures are: out of 20 parole hearings at Otisville, 9 men were granted parole; 6 of those had been convicted of violent felonies, and 4 of those were Lifers. This is far less paroled than the number reported, but still it was a big increase; in the past it was usual for 2 to be released, often both were deportations, occasionally one was back to community. We would like to publish the results at other facilities if they are known to any of our readers (send to:prisonaction@hotmail.com).
1. COMMENTS ON FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2:
I do feel hopeful after yesterday's event.....I am proud to have been a part of it all and hope I made all of you proud...my heartfelt thanks for letting me represent the families of all those incarcerated in NYS, especially the moms that were there....Peace......Deb Bozydaj
I thought it was great! All that work was definitely worth it. Great people. Too much food :) . What was the turnout in numbers do you know? Thanks so much!! I felt empowered! Donna Conlan
Burgeoning empowerment can be intense. That intensity is what I felt at the Family Empowerment Day 2 as speaker after speaker shared the story of his or her commitment to justice and freedom for families sentenced with their loved ones behind bars. Perhaps the most concrete of these expressions came from Attorney Robert Isseks who has filed a lawsuit against wrongful parole practices in New York, offering hope to those who have served their minimum sentences or more and who have repeatedly been denied parole. However, the most compelling tales came from those who have run the heinous gauntlet of parole and returned to tell us about it and how to fight back. What an inspiring day! Power to the people! Karen Lewis
It was a great and uplifting meeting which I was very surprised since I've been to other types of meetings which were depressing. All the best, SPJ
Tonight [10/23] is our October meeting for "Prisoners Are People Too!." Those of us who made the trip to NYC can hardly wait to tell everyone how wonderfully inspiring FED 2 was. We are feeling BIGGER, BETTER, STRONGER! Haba na haba hajazi kibaba. Little by little the work IS done. -ka
and on a different note:
LOST AT FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2: PETITIONS FOR THE PAROLE RELEASES OF JOE RUDD AND DALTON DIAZ were on the table, and when last seen contained many signatures. Both were missing when the program ended. The clipboards remained, but they were empty. Did anyone find the petitions? Take them home by mistake? Notice anyone taking them? If so, please contact us by calling PAN at 518 253 7533. This is a terrible loss - it could cost someone their freedom!
Time is critical for Dalton Diaz. His parole hearing is in December. If you would be willing to write a support letter, please get in touch with Katherine Diaz at 347 564 1078 or by sendin an email to: katherinepdiaz@hotmail.com to get more information. She and Dalton were counting on those signatures to make a difference in the outcome of his parole hearing.
2. REPORT ON FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2
ATTENDANCE: 151 people registered, but obviously there were people who didn’t fill out the registration form, because of the 80 signatures collected on the Parole Petition, 23 were not on the list of those registered. So we know that not everyone signed in, despite our best efforts to record everyone. [Or perhaps some of the registrations and petitions are also among the missing?] So we know that at least 174 people attended, and we would estimate that total attendance was closer to 200. If you learn of anyone who was there but does not receive this newsletter, please have them send us their contact information.
Most of the people who attended were related to someone in prison. 63 people put that down in response to the question on the registration form asking how they had heard about the event. Not everyone answered that question, but of those who did, 17 said they heard about it from PAN, 12 from a friend [who may have been incarcerated - there is no way to know], 11 from Willie Thomas(!), 9 from advocacy organizations, 2 from Mark Chapman, 2 from Karima Amin, 3 from Fancy Broccoli, 3 from WBAI, only 2 from the Operation Prison Gap buses [where 3000 flyers were distributed], but 2 others found the flyer on the street, 1 from the newspaper [didn’t say which one], 1 from Melis Birder the filmmaker, 2 from Lucille Banta, 1 from the NY Law Journal.
LETTER TO ELIOT SPITZER: 137 people signed a letter to Eliot Spitzer telling him that if he gets elected, on Day 1 when he has promised to start making changes we want him to address our parole issues. The letters were mailed later that day. A copy is included and if you weren’t there to sign it, we invite you to do so now, and mail it to him immediately at the address given on the letter. Please put your return address on the envelope as well, as the more evidence of your personal interest the more impact the letter will have. In fact, the most impact comes from writing your own letter, so do your best, but do something. The Justice Committee of the Albany Unitarian church has added 9 signed letters to that number, and there is still one Sunday left before election day. Actually, if he is elected his term does not begin right away, so we can continue to send letters, but with his executive office address instead of his campaign office. Albany :Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341, New York City: Office of the Attorney General,120 Broadway, New York City, NY 10271.
PETITION to the leaders of the State Senate and the State Assembly: As stated above, 80 people signed the petition. But we can do better than that! Each of us should be able to get at least 5 more signatures. That would add up to 1000 signatures, not an amount easily ignored by the recipients. A copy is also included for you to copy and continue gathering signatures. Send the original to either Joseph Bruno or Sheldon Silver, and a copy to the other. Before doing so, please count the number of signatures, and let Building Bridges know (prisonaction@hotmail.com), so we can let everyone else know how many signatures have been gathered in total. Their addresses:
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
NY NY 10007
Joseph L. Bruno, Senate Majority Leader
Room 909, Legislative Office Bldg
Albany NY 12247
REMEMBER TO VOTE on November 7th! The men and women in prison can’t vote for themselves. It is bad enough that the neighborhoods in which most of them lived have lost representation in the State legislature due to prisoners being counted in the county where they are incarcerated. Your vote is that much more vital. We must send a message to our representatives that we vote and we watch how they vote!
The Better Ballots:2006 New York Voter Education Guide initiative has created a nonpartisan guide for New York voters addressing important issues such as voting rights for people with felony convictions, the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and Election Day voter registration.
At www.betterballotsny.org you can read the noteworthy responses of candidates for Governor, Attorney General and other statewide and legislative offices. Voters and activists can access useful Election Day information, learn about candidates' stances, and generate a Voter guide tailored to the races that are important in their communities.
Please help us build momentum and put this valuable information in the hands of the largest number of voters possible. We hope you'll join us in spreading the word about the Better Ballots 2006 New York Voter Education Guide.
Maggie Williams, Project Director , The Voter Enfranchisement Project , The Bronx Defenders ,
860 Courtlandt Avenue , Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 838-7878 voice , maggie@bronxdefenders.org, www.bronxdefenders.org
FILM AND AUDIO RECORDINGS of Family Empowerment Day will be available. Melis Birder, who shot video footage, will have it available, at cost, in several weeks. It will be rough unedited coverage as she is also working on her film “The Visitors” and must focus her time on that project. The audio - all the speeches - were recorded also. If you want a copy of a particular speech, let me know (prisonaction@hotmail.com). We will offer the files to WBAI and Fancy Broccoli, also. You can count on hearing it on Voices from the Prison Action Network, available on the internet as a live broadcast from www.wrpi.org on Wednesday mornings at 6 am.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Thanks to all the people who contributed food and supplies and labor it looks like we have money left over, which can be used as the starter money for the next Family Empowerment Day. About half of the money came from Inside, and the other half from Coalition organizations and concerned citizens. In other words, this was a grass roots effort on the part of people on both sides of the wall, working to make life better for all of us. It shows that we are serious about creating change; that we are willing to sacrifice to create a more just society.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE SPEAKERS:
Mark Chapman, - 718 817 3747, CHAPMAN@FORDHAM.EDU
Deb Bozydaj - dabboz@aol.com
Willie Thomas - freed628@yahoo.com
Robert Isseks - 845-344-4322, 6 North St, Middletown, NY 10940
Rima Vesely-Flad - 212 426 9881, rima@nyicare.org
Cheryl L. Kates - 585 820-3818, PO BOX 711, Honeoye, NY 14471,
Karima Amin - 716 834 8438, karimatells@yahoo.com
3. LEAD ATTORNEYS IN CLASS ACTION PAROLE SUIT REQUEST INFORMATION:
Robert Isseks asks persons convicted of an A1 violent felony with life on the end to send their inmate status report and the decision from the parole board if they were denied for "nature of the crime", or the equivalent. The information may be sent to Robert Isseks, Esq. at 6 North Street, Middletown, NY 10940. The law team will use the information to support their case. They want people to know that if they are in that category they will automatically be covered by the class action suit, they do not have to apply.
4. JUDGE GOES BEYOND ORDERING NEW PAROLE HEARING FOR INMATE
By John Caher, New York Law Journal, October 6, 2006
ALBANY - In a rare display of judicial power over the state parole board, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman has told the Division of Parole to release a convicted killer unless it can come up with a valid reason - other than the crimes he committed nearly 40 years ago -for keeping him behind bars. William R. Phillips, a 76-year-old, half blind, diabetic cancer victim and stroke survivor who the parole board has described as a "model prisoner" posing no threat to society, has been denied parole four times. ....."[W]here the Parole Board abdicates its responsibility to follow the statute, as here, the court may properly intervene," Justice Friedman wrote. [The entire article is posted on this site, as well as the decision.]
5. RIDE BOARD
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele 646 331 1820, ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - 10/4, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029
To Adirondack from Albany - Tanya and son Anthony - 505 455 6023, tanyaj810@netzero.net
6. A COPY OF THE LETTER TO ELIOT SPITZER. We urge you to copy and sign this letter [if you have not already], or write your own, and send it to the address given.
Mr. Eliot Spitzer
Campaign Headquarters
330 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor
NY NY 10017
October 29, 2006
Dear Mr. Spitzer,
As a voter who is passionately hoping for changes in the Criminal Justice system and the NYS prison system, I wish to convey our wish for Day 1 when, if elected, you promise to start making important changes.
I urgently request that on Day 1 you impanel a select commission to review and make recommendations to the governor's office concerning the current inequities and abuses in the parole processes, which result in eligible prisoners remaining incarcerated after satisfying their court imposed minimums and the criteria of Executive law Section 259-i (2) (e).
Mr. Spitzer, I have seen the current administration make it an unofficial policy to withhold parole despite the satisfactory custodial adjustment and recognizable rehabilitation of many prisoners. This has resulted in a continuing escalation in costs to the public, and deprivation to their communities of productive citizens. Additionally, this policy has removed the concept of rehabilitation and restorative justice which I would like to see reinstated as key elements of our State's penological goals.
I request that you:
#1 submit the necessary legislation to amend Executive Law Section 259 et.seq, to prevent continued inequities and abuses by the Parole Commissioners.
#2 Moreover, until such time as the above is implemented, I request that as governor you direct the Parole Commissioners to follow Executive Law 259 as it is written, including its legislative intent.
#3 Finally, I request that you advise the Parole Commissioners that failure to follow the law, as evidenced by the repeated findings of the Judiciary, is grounds for removal as outlined in the statute.
Yours Truly,
(signature)
Name_____________________________________
Address___________________________________
City, Zip ___________________________________
7. PETITION FOR LEGISLATIVE MANDATE
TO: Joseph L. Bruno, Senate Majority Leader
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
As taxpayers and citizens we call upon our State Legislature to mandate that the New York State Parole Board must act in accordance with the law enacted by the legislature in 1977 [Executive Law, section 259-i, subdivision (2)c], which specifies that three criteria must be considered along with others: 1. the inmate's institutional record, 2. participation in a temporary release program, 3.and release plans.
Whereas: We have seen too many decisions which did not address these criteria, but were based solely on the nature of the offense, effectively re-sentencing the convicted person in opposition to the sentencing judge’s opinion.
Whereas: We know that the earlier community ready people are released the greater their chance to lead productive lives on the outside.
Therefore: We the people require that parole release decisions give serious consideration to the inmate’s readiness to return to society, based on his/her record while incarcerated, the support s/he has in the community, and the appropriateness of his/her release plans. We are supported in our demand by PL 1.05 where it states the intent of the Penal Law is, among others: “To insure the public safety by ... the rehabilitation of those convicted, the promotion of their successful and productive reentry and reintegration into society”.
Therefore: We the People urge the State Legislature to direct the parole board to: 1. produce parole decisions that are informative and detailed, not conclusory, peremptory or consisting primarily of a description of the offense committed; and 2. issue decisions containing an explanation of why each factor does or does not support each release criteria, on a case by case basis.
By our signature below, we charge the Legislature with our true safety by overseeing the Parole Board’s performance in identifying those least likely to recidivate, who will be an asset to the community, as opposed to a risk. Our safety does not rest primarily on the release of those with lesser crimes, but more directly on the release of those who, based on length of imprisonment, education skills obtained, family and community support, will remain at liberty without committing further crimes.
Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip*
If everyone who receives this would get five signatures we would be sending a message that thousands of people were willing to put their name on the line for justice! [...report back to us - prisonaction@hotmail.com, so we can let everyone know the success of our efforts].
NOTE: If you want a monthly copy of this newsletter sent to your street address we need to ask you for a donation of $12, because that’s how much it costs us. Anyone wishing to contribute for those who can’t [for instance, people in prison] is welcome to do so. Checks or money orders can be made out to Prison Action Network and sent to PAN, H-M IMC, PO Box 35, Troy NY 12181.
The November edition of Building Bridges is going out to the many people who learned of us for the first time at Family Empowerment Day 2, as well as to our regular subscribers. This issue of Building Bridges will be an exception to the usual format (see archives) because it’s devoted solely to a report of the day we will be remembering for years to come.
Yes! Family Empowerment Day 2 was a fabulous success! Those who’ve contacted us all agree that it was an exciting, inspiring, and informative event. The space was alive with energy. Hope was reborn in the hearts of many people who thought it had died. Lots of us left feeling that we had just been part of something transformative. It was the energy and the commitment of those who attended, and those could not but supported us, that made the day what it was, and we cannot replicate that with words on a page, but we will share our impressions and our statistics with you, and promise you that this was not a one day thing. We started something, and the people who were there will not let it die. People are calling and writing asking what’s next. In these pages you will find actions you can take: getting more signatures on the parole petition, getting your friends to sign and mail the letter to Eliot Spitzer, letting your incarcerated loved ones know about the class action suit and what they can do to help, and VOTING on November 7th.
What are you doing, or planning to do, that you need help with? Write, call or email us at prisonaction@hotmail.com to let us know and spread the word.
A huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who had any involvement in the success of the day! It was not the result of one, or even a few, people’s efforts, but it was the piece that each person contributed which together with everyone else’s created a day we won’t soon forget.
As the Otisville Lifers wrote in the closing paragraph of the written program: “In making personal preparations and sacrifices for Family Empowerment Day 2, you should all realize that you have individually and collectively adopted the concepts of Family and Community, and earned your position within the Coalition. We look forward to your continued support, every year, with Family Empowerment Day events. Together we can make anything happen! Thank You All.”
ARTICLES:
1. Comments on FED2
2. Report on attendance, signatures, finances, film and audio CDs, etc.
3. Robert Isseks, Esq., requests information to support class action suit.
4. Judge orders parole release
5. Ride Board - look here for ride sharing to prisons
6. Letter to Eliot Spitzer
7. Parole Petition for signing
CORRECTION: The statistics we sent last month on Parole Releases [27 paroled at Otisville, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group.] were inaccurate. The correct figures are: out of 20 parole hearings at Otisville, 9 men were granted parole; 6 of those had been convicted of violent felonies, and 4 of those were Lifers. This is far less paroled than the number reported, but still it was a big increase; in the past it was usual for 2 to be released, often both were deportations, occasionally one was back to community. We would like to publish the results at other facilities if they are known to any of our readers (send to:prisonaction@hotmail.com).
1. COMMENTS ON FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2:
I do feel hopeful after yesterday's event.....I am proud to have been a part of it all and hope I made all of you proud...my heartfelt thanks for letting me represent the families of all those incarcerated in NYS, especially the moms that were there....Peace......Deb Bozydaj
I thought it was great! All that work was definitely worth it. Great people. Too much food :) . What was the turnout in numbers do you know? Thanks so much!! I felt empowered! Donna Conlan
Burgeoning empowerment can be intense. That intensity is what I felt at the Family Empowerment Day 2 as speaker after speaker shared the story of his or her commitment to justice and freedom for families sentenced with their loved ones behind bars. Perhaps the most concrete of these expressions came from Attorney Robert Isseks who has filed a lawsuit against wrongful parole practices in New York, offering hope to those who have served their minimum sentences or more and who have repeatedly been denied parole. However, the most compelling tales came from those who have run the heinous gauntlet of parole and returned to tell us about it and how to fight back. What an inspiring day! Power to the people! Karen Lewis
It was a great and uplifting meeting which I was very surprised since I've been to other types of meetings which were depressing. All the best, SPJ
Tonight [10/23] is our October meeting for "Prisoners Are People Too!." Those of us who made the trip to NYC can hardly wait to tell everyone how wonderfully inspiring FED 2 was. We are feeling BIGGER, BETTER, STRONGER! Haba na haba hajazi kibaba. Little by little the work IS done. -ka
and on a different note:
LOST AT FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2: PETITIONS FOR THE PAROLE RELEASES OF JOE RUDD AND DALTON DIAZ were on the table, and when last seen contained many signatures. Both were missing when the program ended. The clipboards remained, but they were empty. Did anyone find the petitions? Take them home by mistake? Notice anyone taking them? If so, please contact us by calling PAN at 518 253 7533. This is a terrible loss - it could cost someone their freedom!
Time is critical for Dalton Diaz. His parole hearing is in December. If you would be willing to write a support letter, please get in touch with Katherine Diaz at 347 564 1078 or by sendin an email to: katherinepdiaz@hotmail.com to get more information. She and Dalton were counting on those signatures to make a difference in the outcome of his parole hearing.
2. REPORT ON FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2
ATTENDANCE: 151 people registered, but obviously there were people who didn’t fill out the registration form, because of the 80 signatures collected on the Parole Petition, 23 were not on the list of those registered. So we know that not everyone signed in, despite our best efforts to record everyone. [Or perhaps some of the registrations and petitions are also among the missing?] So we know that at least 174 people attended, and we would estimate that total attendance was closer to 200. If you learn of anyone who was there but does not receive this newsletter, please have them send us their contact information.
Most of the people who attended were related to someone in prison. 63 people put that down in response to the question on the registration form asking how they had heard about the event. Not everyone answered that question, but of those who did, 17 said they heard about it from PAN, 12 from a friend [who may have been incarcerated - there is no way to know], 11 from Willie Thomas(!), 9 from advocacy organizations, 2 from Mark Chapman, 2 from Karima Amin, 3 from Fancy Broccoli, 3 from WBAI, only 2 from the Operation Prison Gap buses [where 3000 flyers were distributed], but 2 others found the flyer on the street, 1 from the newspaper [didn’t say which one], 1 from Melis Birder the filmmaker, 2 from Lucille Banta, 1 from the NY Law Journal.
LETTER TO ELIOT SPITZER: 137 people signed a letter to Eliot Spitzer telling him that if he gets elected, on Day 1 when he has promised to start making changes we want him to address our parole issues. The letters were mailed later that day. A copy is included and if you weren’t there to sign it, we invite you to do so now, and mail it to him immediately at the address given on the letter. Please put your return address on the envelope as well, as the more evidence of your personal interest the more impact the letter will have. In fact, the most impact comes from writing your own letter, so do your best, but do something. The Justice Committee of the Albany Unitarian church has added 9 signed letters to that number, and there is still one Sunday left before election day. Actually, if he is elected his term does not begin right away, so we can continue to send letters, but with his executive office address instead of his campaign office. Albany :Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341, New York City: Office of the Attorney General,120 Broadway, New York City, NY 10271.
PETITION to the leaders of the State Senate and the State Assembly: As stated above, 80 people signed the petition. But we can do better than that! Each of us should be able to get at least 5 more signatures. That would add up to 1000 signatures, not an amount easily ignored by the recipients. A copy is also included for you to copy and continue gathering signatures. Send the original to either Joseph Bruno or Sheldon Silver, and a copy to the other. Before doing so, please count the number of signatures, and let Building Bridges know (prisonaction@hotmail.com), so we can let everyone else know how many signatures have been gathered in total. Their addresses:
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
NY NY 10007
Joseph L. Bruno, Senate Majority Leader
Room 909, Legislative Office Bldg
Albany NY 12247
REMEMBER TO VOTE on November 7th! The men and women in prison can’t vote for themselves. It is bad enough that the neighborhoods in which most of them lived have lost representation in the State legislature due to prisoners being counted in the county where they are incarcerated. Your vote is that much more vital. We must send a message to our representatives that we vote and we watch how they vote!
The Better Ballots:2006 New York Voter Education Guide initiative has created a nonpartisan guide for New York voters addressing important issues such as voting rights for people with felony convictions, the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and Election Day voter registration.
At www.betterballotsny.org you can read the noteworthy responses of candidates for Governor, Attorney General and other statewide and legislative offices. Voters and activists can access useful Election Day information, learn about candidates' stances, and generate a Voter guide tailored to the races that are important in their communities.
Please help us build momentum and put this valuable information in the hands of the largest number of voters possible. We hope you'll join us in spreading the word about the Better Ballots 2006 New York Voter Education Guide.
Maggie Williams, Project Director , The Voter Enfranchisement Project , The Bronx Defenders ,
860 Courtlandt Avenue , Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 838-7878 voice , maggie@bronxdefenders.org, www.bronxdefenders.org
FILM AND AUDIO RECORDINGS of Family Empowerment Day will be available. Melis Birder, who shot video footage, will have it available, at cost, in several weeks. It will be rough unedited coverage as she is also working on her film “The Visitors” and must focus her time on that project. The audio - all the speeches - were recorded also. If you want a copy of a particular speech, let me know (prisonaction@hotmail.com). We will offer the files to WBAI and Fancy Broccoli, also. You can count on hearing it on Voices from the Prison Action Network, available on the internet as a live broadcast from www.wrpi.org on Wednesday mornings at 6 am.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Thanks to all the people who contributed food and supplies and labor it looks like we have money left over, which can be used as the starter money for the next Family Empowerment Day. About half of the money came from Inside, and the other half from Coalition organizations and concerned citizens. In other words, this was a grass roots effort on the part of people on both sides of the wall, working to make life better for all of us. It shows that we are serious about creating change; that we are willing to sacrifice to create a more just society.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE SPEAKERS:
Mark Chapman, - 718 817 3747, CHAPMAN@FORDHAM.EDU
Deb Bozydaj - dabboz@aol.com
Willie Thomas - freed628@yahoo.com
Robert Isseks - 845-344-4322, 6 North St, Middletown, NY 10940
Rima Vesely-Flad - 212 426 9881, rima@nyicare.org
Cheryl L. Kates - 585 820-3818, PO BOX 711, Honeoye, NY 14471,
Karima Amin - 716 834 8438, karimatells@yahoo.com
3. LEAD ATTORNEYS IN CLASS ACTION PAROLE SUIT REQUEST INFORMATION:
Robert Isseks asks persons convicted of an A1 violent felony with life on the end to send their inmate status report and the decision from the parole board if they were denied for "nature of the crime", or the equivalent. The information may be sent to Robert Isseks, Esq. at 6 North Street, Middletown, NY 10940. The law team will use the information to support their case. They want people to know that if they are in that category they will automatically be covered by the class action suit, they do not have to apply.
4. JUDGE GOES BEYOND ORDERING NEW PAROLE HEARING FOR INMATE
By John Caher, New York Law Journal, October 6, 2006
ALBANY - In a rare display of judicial power over the state parole board, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman has told the Division of Parole to release a convicted killer unless it can come up with a valid reason - other than the crimes he committed nearly 40 years ago -for keeping him behind bars. William R. Phillips, a 76-year-old, half blind, diabetic cancer victim and stroke survivor who the parole board has described as a "model prisoner" posing no threat to society, has been denied parole four times. ....."[W]here the Parole Board abdicates its responsibility to follow the statute, as here, the court may properly intervene," Justice Friedman wrote. [The entire article is posted on this site, as well as the decision.]
5. RIDE BOARD
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele 646 331 1820, ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - 10/4, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029
To Adirondack from Albany - Tanya and son Anthony - 505 455 6023, tanyaj810@netzero.net
6. A COPY OF THE LETTER TO ELIOT SPITZER. We urge you to copy and sign this letter [if you have not already], or write your own, and send it to the address given.
Mr. Eliot Spitzer
Campaign Headquarters
330 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor
NY NY 10017
October 29, 2006
Dear Mr. Spitzer,
As a voter who is passionately hoping for changes in the Criminal Justice system and the NYS prison system, I wish to convey our wish for Day 1 when, if elected, you promise to start making important changes.
I urgently request that on Day 1 you impanel a select commission to review and make recommendations to the governor's office concerning the current inequities and abuses in the parole processes, which result in eligible prisoners remaining incarcerated after satisfying their court imposed minimums and the criteria of Executive law Section 259-i (2) (e).
Mr. Spitzer, I have seen the current administration make it an unofficial policy to withhold parole despite the satisfactory custodial adjustment and recognizable rehabilitation of many prisoners. This has resulted in a continuing escalation in costs to the public, and deprivation to their communities of productive citizens. Additionally, this policy has removed the concept of rehabilitation and restorative justice which I would like to see reinstated as key elements of our State's penological goals.
I request that you:
#1 submit the necessary legislation to amend Executive Law Section 259 et.seq, to prevent continued inequities and abuses by the Parole Commissioners.
#2 Moreover, until such time as the above is implemented, I request that as governor you direct the Parole Commissioners to follow Executive Law 259 as it is written, including its legislative intent.
#3 Finally, I request that you advise the Parole Commissioners that failure to follow the law, as evidenced by the repeated findings of the Judiciary, is grounds for removal as outlined in the statute.
Yours Truly,
(signature)
Name_____________________________________
Address___________________________________
City, Zip ___________________________________
7. PETITION FOR LEGISLATIVE MANDATE
TO: Joseph L. Bruno, Senate Majority Leader
Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly
As taxpayers and citizens we call upon our State Legislature to mandate that the New York State Parole Board must act in accordance with the law enacted by the legislature in 1977 [Executive Law, section 259-i, subdivision (2)c], which specifies that three criteria must be considered along with others: 1. the inmate's institutional record, 2. participation in a temporary release program, 3.and release plans.
Whereas: We have seen too many decisions which did not address these criteria, but were based solely on the nature of the offense, effectively re-sentencing the convicted person in opposition to the sentencing judge’s opinion.
Whereas: We know that the earlier community ready people are released the greater their chance to lead productive lives on the outside.
Therefore: We the people require that parole release decisions give serious consideration to the inmate’s readiness to return to society, based on his/her record while incarcerated, the support s/he has in the community, and the appropriateness of his/her release plans. We are supported in our demand by PL 1.05 where it states the intent of the Penal Law is, among others: “To insure the public safety by ... the rehabilitation of those convicted, the promotion of their successful and productive reentry and reintegration into society”.
Therefore: We the People urge the State Legislature to direct the parole board to: 1. produce parole decisions that are informative and detailed, not conclusory, peremptory or consisting primarily of a description of the offense committed; and 2. issue decisions containing an explanation of why each factor does or does not support each release criteria, on a case by case basis.
By our signature below, we charge the Legislature with our true safety by overseeing the Parole Board’s performance in identifying those least likely to recidivate, who will be an asset to the community, as opposed to a risk. Our safety does not rest primarily on the release of those with lesser crimes, but more directly on the release of those who, based on length of imprisonment, education skills obtained, family and community support, will remain at liberty without committing further crimes.
Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip*
If everyone who receives this would get five signatures we would be sending a message that thousands of people were willing to put their name on the line for justice! [...report back to us - prisonaction@hotmail.com, so we can let everyone know the success of our efforts].
NOTE: If you want a monthly copy of this newsletter sent to your street address we need to ask you for a donation of $12, because that’s how much it costs us. Anyone wishing to contribute for those who can’t [for instance, people in prison] is welcome to do so. Checks or money orders can be made out to Prison Action Network and sent to PAN, H-M IMC, PO Box 35, Troy NY 12181.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
John Caher: Judge Goes Beyond Ordering New Parole Hearing for Inmate
By John Caher
New York Law Journal
October 6, 2006
ALBANY - In a rare display of judicial power over the state parole board, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman has told the Division of Parole to release a convicted killer unless it can come up with a valid reason - other than the crimes he committed nearly 40 years ago -for keeping him behind bars.
William R. Phillips, a 76-year-old, half blind, diabetic cancer victim and stroke survivor who the parole board has described as a "model prisoner" posing no threat to society, has been denied parole four times.
Justice Friedman's ruling yesterday marks the second time a court has criticized the denial of parole for Mr. Phillips as irrational and improper, but the first where a judge has all but ordered his release.
When reviewing a determination of the parole board, the judiciary's sole remedy is to afford the petitioner a new hearing. Justice Friedman did just that in Phillips v. Dennison, 103509/06. But she went one step further and restrained the board from considering anything other than Mr. Phillips' behavior since his last parole denial. His prison record at least through 2005 is unblemished.
The decision will be published Thursday.
"[W]here the Parole Board abdicates its responsibility to follow the statute, as here, the court may properly intervene," Justice Friedman wrote.
Mr. Phillips is a former New York City police officer who killed a 19-year-old prostitute and her pimp in 1968 and tried to kill another person. It was several years later, after he was caught shaking down Xaviera Hollander, the legendary madam of a 51st Street brothel and author of "The Happy Hooker," that he was arrested for the murders and attempted murder.
After his arrest for the Hollander incident, Mr. Phillips became a star witness for the Knapp Commission, which uncovered widespread corruption within the New York City Police Department. His notoriety from the commission's hearings brought forth evidence of the 1968 crimes. After two trials he was ultimately convicted in 1974 and sentenced to a 25-year-to-life term. Mr. Phillips has been incarcerated ever since.
In prison, Mr. Phillips has amassed a perfect disciplinary record. He earned a legal research certificate and taught legal research to other inmates for 17 years, served as deputy superintendent of the prison law library, earned bachelor's and master's degrees and participated in numerous training and leadership programs. Two now-deceased judges wrote letters recommending Mr. Phillips' release and even the chairman of the parole board said Mr. Phillips had rehabilitated himself. Mr. Phillips has a job awaiting him at Manhattanville College and an offer to live with his niece.
Initially, the parole board denied release contending Mr. Phillips was a continuing threat to society.
However, after Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Alice Schlesinger in 2003 found that reasoning absurd and ordered a new hearing, the board changed its stance. It apparently no longer claims Mr. Phillips is dangerous, but that to release him would deprecate the seriousness of his offenses and undermine respect for the law.
Board's 'Lip Service'
Justice Friedman is not buying it.
In an 11-page decision dated Sept. 29 but released yesterday, she said the parole board "merely paid lip service" to its statutory obligations and delved into forbidden territory by considering penal policy.
She pointed specifically to Mr. Phillips' 2005 parole hearing, where board Chairman Robert Dennison called the convict a "model inmate" but asked, "How many years is enough for taking two lives and trying to kill a third?"
That question, Justice Friedman suggested, was answered by the sentencing court 31 years ago.
"[T]he board impermissibly based its denial on a non-statutory factor - its opinion as to the proper penalty for the crime - while in effect disregarding both that the petitioner has achieved a complete rehabilitation and that the statutory scheme required the Board to take this factor into account," she wrote.
Justice Friedman also said the board's third denial of parole, when it claimed that Mr. Phillips was a danger to society only to get shot down by Justice Schlesinger, "now appears to have been pretextual." She said the most recent parole denial, in 2005, "was similarly based on an improper 'disposition' to deny parole to the petitioner, rather than a fair consideration of the statutory factors."
The court, however, declined in a footnote to address Mr. Phillips' allegation that the board was advancing Governor George E. Pataki's political agenda rather than following the law.
Governor Pataki has advocated an end to parole and critics contend he is attempting to achieve bureaucratically - he has appointed all parole board members - what he cannot achieve legislatively.
Mr. Phillips is among dozens of prisoners raising that allegation in a class action before Southern District Judge Charles L. Brieant (NYLJ, July 20).
Justice Friedman left that issue with the federal court.
Ruling Called 'Firm Step'
Mr. Phillips' pro bono attorney, Daniel M. Perez of Kuby & Perez in Manhattan, said the ruling represents "a firm step toward a court suggesting, if not outright ordering, that the Division of Parole has to release someone on parole."
"I am not aware of any case in which that was done, but I am glad that Justice Friedman issued this order," Mr. Perez said. "It is clear that the Division of Parole will just continue to deny him parole," he said, adding that at some point, "someone needs to tell the Division of Parole that enough is enough and it is time to release him."
Parole-eligible inmates and their attorneys have been frustrated that the courts have generally found themselves powerless to do anything other than afford prisoners new hearings.
After serving the minimum portion of a sentence, an inmate is automatically granted a parole hearing every two years. After an inmate is denied parole, he usually goes through the administrative process - almost always losing - and then heads to court. If an inmate does not prevail on an Article 78 proceeding at the trial level, and few do, he then attempts to appeal.
However, by the time the appeal gets before an appellate division nearly two years has passed and the appellate panel dismisses the case for mootness: Since the court can do nothing but order a rehearing and the inmate has one coming up, there is no reason for the judiciary to get involved, the courts reason.
Typically, the inmate is again denied parole at the next regularly scheduled hearing and the cycle begins anew.
But Justice Friedman's ruling threatens to alter that routine, if other judges and appellate courts agree that there are times when the courts can direct a remedy other than a rehearing.
"What purpose does the judiciary serve if all they can do is tell the executive branch what it should do?" Mr. Perez asked. "At a certain point, the judiciary has the power to command the executive branch to take certain acts, and I think this is one of them."
Assistant Attorney General Neil S. Shevlin defended the parole board.
Division of Parole spokesman Scott E. Steinhardt yesterday declined comment on what he referred to as "ongoing litigation."
It was not immediately clear if the Division of Parole will appeal, but it has 30 days to make that determination.
Christine Pritchard, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said the ruling is under review and the Department of Law will confer with its client before deciding on a course of action.
- John Caher can be reached at jcaher@alm.com.
New York Law Journal
October 6, 2006
ALBANY - In a rare display of judicial power over the state parole board, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman has told the Division of Parole to release a convicted killer unless it can come up with a valid reason - other than the crimes he committed nearly 40 years ago -for keeping him behind bars.
William R. Phillips, a 76-year-old, half blind, diabetic cancer victim and stroke survivor who the parole board has described as a "model prisoner" posing no threat to society, has been denied parole four times.
Justice Friedman's ruling yesterday marks the second time a court has criticized the denial of parole for Mr. Phillips as irrational and improper, but the first where a judge has all but ordered his release.
When reviewing a determination of the parole board, the judiciary's sole remedy is to afford the petitioner a new hearing. Justice Friedman did just that in Phillips v. Dennison, 103509/06. But she went one step further and restrained the board from considering anything other than Mr. Phillips' behavior since his last parole denial. His prison record at least through 2005 is unblemished.
The decision will be published Thursday.
"[W]here the Parole Board abdicates its responsibility to follow the statute, as here, the court may properly intervene," Justice Friedman wrote.
Mr. Phillips is a former New York City police officer who killed a 19-year-old prostitute and her pimp in 1968 and tried to kill another person. It was several years later, after he was caught shaking down Xaviera Hollander, the legendary madam of a 51st Street brothel and author of "The Happy Hooker," that he was arrested for the murders and attempted murder.
After his arrest for the Hollander incident, Mr. Phillips became a star witness for the Knapp Commission, which uncovered widespread corruption within the New York City Police Department. His notoriety from the commission's hearings brought forth evidence of the 1968 crimes. After two trials he was ultimately convicted in 1974 and sentenced to a 25-year-to-life term. Mr. Phillips has been incarcerated ever since.
In prison, Mr. Phillips has amassed a perfect disciplinary record. He earned a legal research certificate and taught legal research to other inmates for 17 years, served as deputy superintendent of the prison law library, earned bachelor's and master's degrees and participated in numerous training and leadership programs. Two now-deceased judges wrote letters recommending Mr. Phillips' release and even the chairman of the parole board said Mr. Phillips had rehabilitated himself. Mr. Phillips has a job awaiting him at Manhattanville College and an offer to live with his niece.
Initially, the parole board denied release contending Mr. Phillips was a continuing threat to society.
However, after Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Alice Schlesinger in 2003 found that reasoning absurd and ordered a new hearing, the board changed its stance. It apparently no longer claims Mr. Phillips is dangerous, but that to release him would deprecate the seriousness of his offenses and undermine respect for the law.
Board's 'Lip Service'
Justice Friedman is not buying it.
In an 11-page decision dated Sept. 29 but released yesterday, she said the parole board "merely paid lip service" to its statutory obligations and delved into forbidden territory by considering penal policy.
She pointed specifically to Mr. Phillips' 2005 parole hearing, where board Chairman Robert Dennison called the convict a "model inmate" but asked, "How many years is enough for taking two lives and trying to kill a third?"
That question, Justice Friedman suggested, was answered by the sentencing court 31 years ago.
"[T]he board impermissibly based its denial on a non-statutory factor - its opinion as to the proper penalty for the crime - while in effect disregarding both that the petitioner has achieved a complete rehabilitation and that the statutory scheme required the Board to take this factor into account," she wrote.
Justice Friedman also said the board's third denial of parole, when it claimed that Mr. Phillips was a danger to society only to get shot down by Justice Schlesinger, "now appears to have been pretextual." She said the most recent parole denial, in 2005, "was similarly based on an improper 'disposition' to deny parole to the petitioner, rather than a fair consideration of the statutory factors."
The court, however, declined in a footnote to address Mr. Phillips' allegation that the board was advancing Governor George E. Pataki's political agenda rather than following the law.
Governor Pataki has advocated an end to parole and critics contend he is attempting to achieve bureaucratically - he has appointed all parole board members - what he cannot achieve legislatively.
Mr. Phillips is among dozens of prisoners raising that allegation in a class action before Southern District Judge Charles L. Brieant (NYLJ, July 20).
Justice Friedman left that issue with the federal court.
Ruling Called 'Firm Step'
Mr. Phillips' pro bono attorney, Daniel M. Perez of Kuby & Perez in Manhattan, said the ruling represents "a firm step toward a court suggesting, if not outright ordering, that the Division of Parole has to release someone on parole."
"I am not aware of any case in which that was done, but I am glad that Justice Friedman issued this order," Mr. Perez said. "It is clear that the Division of Parole will just continue to deny him parole," he said, adding that at some point, "someone needs to tell the Division of Parole that enough is enough and it is time to release him."
Parole-eligible inmates and their attorneys have been frustrated that the courts have generally found themselves powerless to do anything other than afford prisoners new hearings.
After serving the minimum portion of a sentence, an inmate is automatically granted a parole hearing every two years. After an inmate is denied parole, he usually goes through the administrative process - almost always losing - and then heads to court. If an inmate does not prevail on an Article 78 proceeding at the trial level, and few do, he then attempts to appeal.
However, by the time the appeal gets before an appellate division nearly two years has passed and the appellate panel dismisses the case for mootness: Since the court can do nothing but order a rehearing and the inmate has one coming up, there is no reason for the judiciary to get involved, the courts reason.
Typically, the inmate is again denied parole at the next regularly scheduled hearing and the cycle begins anew.
But Justice Friedman's ruling threatens to alter that routine, if other judges and appellate courts agree that there are times when the courts can direct a remedy other than a rehearing.
"What purpose does the judiciary serve if all they can do is tell the executive branch what it should do?" Mr. Perez asked. "At a certain point, the judiciary has the power to command the executive branch to take certain acts, and I think this is one of them."
Assistant Attorney General Neil S. Shevlin defended the parole board.
Division of Parole spokesman Scott E. Steinhardt yesterday declined comment on what he referred to as "ongoing litigation."
It was not immediately clear if the Division of Parole will appeal, but it has 30 days to make that determination.
Christine Pritchard, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said the ruling is under review and the Department of Law will confer with its client before deciding on a course of action.
- John Caher can be reached at jcaher@alm.com.
Parole Profile: Joseph Rudd
Joseph Rudd is an exceptionally outstanding individual in need of support. Please read his own words below and take it into your heart to do what you can. Letters of support can be sent to: sponsoraprisoner@aol.com, as can requests for any further information.
JOSEPH RUDD 83A7286
Otisville Correctional Facility
POB 8 Otisville NY 10963
Personal Statement
I was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where I lived in the same home with my parents for 24 years until incarcerated in 1982 on a murder conviction which I take responsiblity for. Prior to incarceration I attended Catholic grammar school, obtained a GED and I worked for eight years with Local 32B union as a heating plant technician. My fiance and I of six years had a planned and scheduled wedding date.
Upon entering prison in 1983 I realized that in order to truly seek redemption my journey could not wait until I was released back into society. My personal path to redemption would have to begin to be paved right where I was. Through lots of soul searching and deep faith I have taken the steps to change my life around to enable me to make a positive transition back into society. While none of my prison accomplishments will ever compensate the tragic loss of life, which I am responsible and have deep remorse for, I am hoping they will however serve as an honest testimony to the sincere and positive changes in my life.
Volunteer Programs
22 years Alternative to Violence Project,USA, (AVP) Lead Training Facilitator, 20 years elected office for St. Pauls Holy Name Society at Greenhaven, in excess of 3000 hours of Community Service work in several counties, NYS Forest Ranger Training in fighting forest fires, 20 years Sick and Vigil Committee at Greenhaven, 3 years Altar Boy at St. Therese Chapel, 3 years Bible study course at Mid-Orange C.F., Aggression Replacement Training, Alcohol Substance Abuse Training,Compadres Helper Peer Counselor Program, AA, Therapeutic Training course, Legal Research Program, Yourth Assistance Program, 3 years Public Relations Officer for Governmental Educational Organization, founder of GEO sub-committee on Work release, 15 years in Privilege Honor Block Housing Unit.
Commendations Received
NYS Department of Corrections Commissioner Thomas Coughlin Certificate of Achievement, Certificates of Achievement from Greenhaven Superintendents, Charles Scully and Christopher Artuz, Letter of Commendation from Deputy Superintendent of Secutiy at Greenhaven, 90 signatures of Parole support from Greenhaven officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captain, the president treasureer and representative of the officers union, letter of achievement and support for parole from correction counselors, directors, coordinators of the veteran self help project, several priests, deacons, rabbis, Marist college and Stormville school teachers, Civilian Volunteers and facilitators spanning twenty four years.
Release Plans
As a lead-training facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project USA I plan to work with clergy, administrative services, community leaders, associations and organizations to recruit and train new AVP facilitators to do workshops in the communities, churches schools, shelters, youth centers, county jails, prisons and private corporations.
Closing
In closing I deeply regret the role I played in the death of another human being. There are no words that I can find or think of that could adequately express the deep shame, regret, sorrow and remorse that I feel daily. It is something I will live with for the rest of my life. I will never engage in such behavior in my life ever again. I will take every opportunity to do good by others and give back to society.
JOSEPH RUDD 83A7286
Otisville Correctional Facility
POB 8 Otisville NY 10963
Personal Statement
I was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where I lived in the same home with my parents for 24 years until incarcerated in 1982 on a murder conviction which I take responsiblity for. Prior to incarceration I attended Catholic grammar school, obtained a GED and I worked for eight years with Local 32B union as a heating plant technician. My fiance and I of six years had a planned and scheduled wedding date.
Upon entering prison in 1983 I realized that in order to truly seek redemption my journey could not wait until I was released back into society. My personal path to redemption would have to begin to be paved right where I was. Through lots of soul searching and deep faith I have taken the steps to change my life around to enable me to make a positive transition back into society. While none of my prison accomplishments will ever compensate the tragic loss of life, which I am responsible and have deep remorse for, I am hoping they will however serve as an honest testimony to the sincere and positive changes in my life.
Volunteer Programs
22 years Alternative to Violence Project,USA, (AVP) Lead Training Facilitator, 20 years elected office for St. Pauls Holy Name Society at Greenhaven, in excess of 3000 hours of Community Service work in several counties, NYS Forest Ranger Training in fighting forest fires, 20 years Sick and Vigil Committee at Greenhaven, 3 years Altar Boy at St. Therese Chapel, 3 years Bible study course at Mid-Orange C.F., Aggression Replacement Training, Alcohol Substance Abuse Training,Compadres Helper Peer Counselor Program, AA, Therapeutic Training course, Legal Research Program, Yourth Assistance Program, 3 years Public Relations Officer for Governmental Educational Organization, founder of GEO sub-committee on Work release, 15 years in Privilege Honor Block Housing Unit.
Commendations Received
NYS Department of Corrections Commissioner Thomas Coughlin Certificate of Achievement, Certificates of Achievement from Greenhaven Superintendents, Charles Scully and Christopher Artuz, Letter of Commendation from Deputy Superintendent of Secutiy at Greenhaven, 90 signatures of Parole support from Greenhaven officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captain, the president treasureer and representative of the officers union, letter of achievement and support for parole from correction counselors, directors, coordinators of the veteran self help project, several priests, deacons, rabbis, Marist college and Stormville school teachers, Civilian Volunteers and facilitators spanning twenty four years.
Release Plans
As a lead-training facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project USA I plan to work with clergy, administrative services, community leaders, associations and organizations to recruit and train new AVP facilitators to do workshops in the communities, churches schools, shelters, youth centers, county jails, prisons and private corporations.
Closing
In closing I deeply regret the role I played in the death of another human being. There are no words that I can find or think of that could adequately express the deep shame, regret, sorrow and remorse that I feel daily. It is something I will live with for the rest of my life. I will never engage in such behavior in my life ever again. I will take every opportunity to do good by others and give back to society.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
October 2006 - Building Bridges
Dear Reader,
October is finally here, the month The Coalition of Family and Community has been preparing for since April. In 21 days we will meet at 50 East 7th Street near Second Avenue in Manhattan, at Middle Collegiate Church, for Family Empowerment Day 2, when we’ll join together to begin the Campaign for Social Justice, Parole Reform, and Accountable Government. Article #2 contains more information about the event, and ways to help. We hope to see you on October 21st!
Articles:
#1. Announcements - Documentary about Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing; New time for Voices from The Prison Action Network Radio: 6 am Wed; Ride Board list of rides wanted to prisons.
#2. Family Empowerment Day 2 - Sat.10/21/06, Donations, Sponsors, Agenda, How to help.
Join the Campaign for Social Justice, Parole Reform and Accountable Government
#3. Health Care:Prison Style - Panel Suggests Using Inmates in Drug Trials
#4. Parole - Are we seeing an increase in releases? 27 paroled at one prison, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group; study shows ex-offenders less likely to repeat years later:
#5. Prison Abuse - Attica Remembered, by Wm Clanton; Albany Vigil continues and invites interested people to Soiree Sunday Oct. 15; NAMI Criminal Justice support group forming on S.I.; Baba Eng, human rights advocate, recovering from surgery.
#6. Words from a "Juvenile Offender" by Waki Milling - "Many, if not most of us were 13, 14,15 years of age when we took innocent life. No one cared to pay attention to why."
#7. Words from Anthony Papa - "I was deemed a ‘drug kingpin’ when I was arrested for a four-ounce sale of cocaine. When the facts came out, it was obvious that I was no kingpin, but instead a low-level drug offender."
#8. Words from Ramon - Part of growing is recognizing those you've hurt, so this month I want to recognize the victims; particularly mine....most importantly I apologize to society for the crime I committed, for the fear and scars I helped plant in every heart and soul
#9. FED2 Flyer - What, Where, When, Who, and how....
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH: GEORGE STONEY ON "PRISON ACTION" - 7 PM SCREENING at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 Sixth Avenue - at 101st St in Troy NY
The 2005 documentary "Getting Out" by Stoney and his former student David Bagnall holds true to one of the basic precepts of community media: giving a forum to unheard voices and stories. This film about Rehabilitation Through the Arts, an experimental theater program at the Sing Sing correctional facility designed to prepare inmates for their eventual release, will be followed by a panel discussion and live poetry reading and discussion with Robert Sanchez, who was a participant of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program. Presented with Prison Action Network. Pot-luck to meet George and Robert from 5:30-7:00, with prison reform activists from the Capital Region. More Information at: 518 272 2390 or 253 7533 or The Sanctuary for Independent Media
VOICES FROM THE PRISON ACTION NETWORK will be heard at 6 AM on Wednesday mornings on WRPI Troy, 91.5 FM for the Fall Season. Anyone who would like to join us on the air to talk about issues connected to incarceration is welcome to do so. If you live outside our 75 mile range you can listen at 6 AM on Wednesdays by going to www.wrpi.org.
RIDE BOARD - If you would like to share a ride to the prison where you visit, please send us a note with where to, where from, and your contact info. If you no longer need a ride, please let us know to remove your name.
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Fri. 10/6, lvg 8am - Judith 518 282 2029, jbimages@hotmail.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele 646 331 1820, ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - Sat. 11/4, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029, jbimages@hotmail.com
2. FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2, Saturday October 21, 2006
11 am - 3pm
50 East 7th St., near 2nd Ave, at Middle Collegiate Church
CAMPAIGN FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, PAROLE REFORM AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT.
Discussion Groups
Information Tables
Petition Signing
Letter Writing
Donations Still Needed: Funding for the program has come from individual donations: over 200 incarcerated people have donated a total of more than $400. With donations from other sources we have close to what we need, but not enough. If you haven’t already sent money we would appreciate a donation of any size. Make checks or money orders out to Prison Action Network with FED2 in the memo, and mail to the Coalition of Family and Community, HM-IMC, PO Box 35, Troy NY 12181. We are trusting we'll have the money we need. Many people are bringing food to share and asking their local stores to donate. This is a grass roots effort! See below for ways you can contribute.
Sponsors: The Coalition of Family and Community is made up of individuals and the following organizations: Citizens for Restorative Justice [CRJ], Coalition of Families of NYS Lifers, Coalition for Parole Restoration [CPR], Exodus Transitional Community, Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment [ICARE], Operation Prison Gap, Otisville C.F. Lifers Organization, Prison Action Network [PAN], Prisoners Are People Too!, Social Responsibility Council [SRC] Justice Committee of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. [if you think your organization was mistakenly left off this list, please notify us immediately, before we print the Program brochure]
AGENDA INCLUDES:
Master of Ceremonies: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner, denied parole 7X
DISCUSSION GROUPS AND LEADERS:
Leadership Development: Stacey Thompson, Coalition for Women Prisoners Outreach Coordinator
Legal Tactics: Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Legislative Advocacy: Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment).
Parole Appeals: Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., Dir. “Edge of Justice”, private attorney
Parole Board Hearings: Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner, denied parole 7 times
Prison Education: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
Re-Entry Issues for Mothers and Wives : Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Special Needs of Lifers’ Families: Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Successful Organizing: Karima Amin, Dir. “Prisoners Are People Too!”, educator, storyteller, community organizer
CLOSING SPEECH: Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment)
CALL TO ACTION: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies at Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.
Immediately:
For flyer distribution - at the Operation Prison Gap bus stop at 58th St. and 8th Ave on Friday and Saturday nights from Sept 29 through October 14. Also anywhere else you can think of where prison families and friends will be. Flyers are available at the OPG bus stop. Talk to the bus coordinators - Denise in particular, or call Judith 518 482-2029
To register people to vote - at the above location. If you call me 518 482 2029 or Willie at 646 294 9460, we'll set you up. It's very simple, but you do need forms and short instructions.
To solicit donations of the following things from your friends or people you do business with [including your place of worship or your neighborhood store owners]:
a tray of food for our potluck lunch
coffee
tea bags
paper and pens for attendees
paper cups, plates, napkins
snacks
juice
water
donuts, muffins, bagels
butter, cream cheese
Before the Event - 10 AM sharp:
Anyone who can show up at 10 am to take directions from the harried team who will be trying to get it all set up within the one hour we have for preparations. Sign making, moving tables, setting up coffee and breakfast snacks.....
Performers who would dance, sing; choirs, solo performers, break dancing, socially responsible Rap, to entertain the people passing by or waiting to get in.
Shoppers: for last minute supplies.
At the Event:
Registrars - we need to get the names and contact info of every person who attends because we need to keep in touch following the event. This is not a one-shot deal but the beginning of a campaign. We want sign-in to go as smoothly as possible.
Computer entry - someone with a laptop and knowledge of data entry to enter the information gathered by the registrars, as it is received.
Greeters - friendly folks to greet people as they arrive, show them the bathrooms, etc.
Outside greeters with flyers [1 at front door, 1 at corner, 1 at side door] to help people find the right door, and maybe interest some passersby to attend.
Child care helpers - to help children who are wandering or disruptive to join activities we will have available. [there's no space set aside for this, so we are not encouraging childrens' attendance, but we want to keep the children happy who do attend]
Thank you very much for helping with the preparations for this powerful meeting! Let me know what you can do, and I'll support you in doing it: Judith at 518 482 2029, or prisonaction@hotmail.com
3. HEALTH CARE - PRISON STYLE
August 13, 2006 Panel Suggests Using Inmates in Drug Trials By IAN URBINA [EXCERPTS]
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 7 — An influential federal panel of medical advisers has recommended that the government loosen regulations that severely limit the testing of pharmaceuticals on prison inmates, a practice that was all but stopped three decades ago after revelations of abuse.
The proposed change includes provisions intended to prevent problems that plagued earlier programs. Nevertheless, it has dredged up a painful history of medical mistreatment and incited debate among prison rights advocates and researchers about whether prisoners can truly make uncoerced decisions, given the environment they live in.
Supporters of such programs cite the possibility of benefit to prison populations, and the potential for contributing to the greater good.
.....“The current regulations are entirely outdated and restrictive, and prisoners are being arbitrarily excluded from research that can help them,” said Ernest D. Prentice, a University of Nebraska genetics professor and the chairman of a Health and Human Services Department committee that requested the study. Mr. Prentice said the regulation revision process would begin at the committee’s next meeting, on Nov. 2.
....... the committee’s report comes against the backdrop of a prison population that has more than quadrupled, to about 2.3 million, over the last 30 years and that disproportionately suffers from H.I.V. and hepatitis C, diseases that some researchers say could be better controlled if new research were permitted in prisons.
Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman, a New York dermatologist who worked at Holmesburg during the 1960’s trials as a second-year resident from the University of Pennsylvania, said he remained skeptical. “I saw it firsthand,” Dr. Ackerman said. “What started as scientific research became pure business, and no amount of regulations can prevent that from happening again.”
Daniel S. Murphy, a professor of criminal justice at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., who was imprisoned for five years in the 1990’s for growing marijuana, said that loosening the regulations would be a mistake.
“Free and informed consent becomes pretty questionable when prisoners don’t hold the keys to their own cells,” Professor Murphy said, “and in many cases they can’t read, yet they are signing a document that it practically takes a law degree to understand.”
Barclay Walsh contributed research for this article.
4. PAROLE
Releases: Rumor has it that the number of parole releases has dramatically increased in the last month or two. Any coincidence between that and the fact that 7 of the current parole board will be replaced at the beginning of the next term? Or that the man with the power to hire and fire them is on his way out? Or that we’ve all been hard at work sending letters and petitions in support of parole reform? I’ll make a guess and say that all of the above had something to do with it. And so we should all give ourselves a pat on the back, take some credit, and then get back to work fighting for justice! Welcome home to all those granted parole! [27 paroled at Otisville, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group.] And may all the rest of you community-ready men and women follow soon.
Ex-Offenders Less Likely To Repeat Years Later: Study
Should employers be willing gamble on hiring someone with a rap sheet?, asks St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Ruben Rosario. A new study by two University of South Carolina criminologists found that ex-offenders with years-old rap sheets are less likely to re-offend than those recently released. The study, "Scarlet Letters and Recidivism: Does an old criminal record predict future offending?," analyzed previous studies and crunched original data tracking offenders and non-offenders in Philadelphia since 1958. It recommends several policy changes, including expunging records for some offenders.
The study found that most folks tend to re-offend or violate terms of their probation [sic] within a few months or years of their release. Those who stayed law abiding still suffered from employment difficulties years after the offense, even though they were less likely to re-offend. "We would like to encourage policymakers through our study to seriously consider whether we can afford to have a policy where we have carte balance exclusion of such offenders for jobs,'' said co-author Robert Brame. The study, from the journal Criminology & Public Policy, can be found at this site ..... St. Paul Pioneer Press
5. PRISON ABUSE
Attica Remembered, by William Clanton
I'd like to take a moment to remember the many brothers who were killed in the Attica massacre on 9/13/1971, and the many who afterwards suffered being beaten and treated like no living being should be. My prayers are with them, their families and friends. "We have not forgotten".
It's appalling how something so horrific as this has been forgotten by so many when today's prison population is at an all time high [2.2 million] and growing, and many facilities closely resemble the conditions and treatment of 30 years ago. I have seen in my years in prison the use of excessive force on inmates for issues as small as talking on the gate or just not having the right look on your face when in the presence of certain officers. Brothers and Sisters on the Inside and the Outside, please know that little has changed in these institutions regarding abuse that we have been undergoing in these places since they've opened. We are very much in need of support from the outside to address these issues.
- William Clanton O3A4400
Albany Vigil for the Victims of Prison Abuse
Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street. Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities. Show that you care. Join us at the vigil and sign the petition at www.stopprisonabuse.org
All are invited to attend a SOIREE and fundraiser to help raise awareness, ideas, and funds for stopprisonabuse.org. Sunday, October 15th, 5:00 pm / 152 Lancaster Street / Albany (between Dove and Swan).
For information call 518 727 4335 or 917 656 8046 or email courtney920@hotmail.com.
National Alliance for the Mentally ILL [NAMI], Staten Island, NY
Criminal Justice Support Group: We are in the process of forming a support group for family members and friends of loved ones who live with mental illness and who are incarcerated or who have come in contact with the criminal justice system.
For those who would be interested in joining our support group please call 718-477-1700,
e-mail namistatenisland@aol.com, or write 930 Willowbrook Road, Building 41A, S. I. NY 10314. We look forward to hearing from you. Together we can make a difference
Human Rights Advocate, Baba Eng, is Recuperating
GEORGE BABA ENG had shoulder replacement surgery on August 31, 2006 in Rome Memorial Hospital. Baba is a politicized prisoner who has worked for many years as a law library clerk and "jailhouse lawyer," and as a champion for more humane treatment for all behind bars. He is currently recovering in the prison hospital. He will be moved to general population in a few days. Complete recovery for this kind of surgery takes about 18 months. You may send letters of support to George Baba Eng, DIN 77A4777, Auburn C.F. 135 State Street, Box 618, Auburn, NY 13021.
Baba's life and work were the catalyst for the founding of "Prisoners Are People Too!" For more information, call Karima Amin 716-834-8438.
6. WORDS FROM A "JUVENILE OFFENDER" by Waki Milling:
Many of us in here are encouraged by what PAN, CPR, and other organizations are trying to accomplish in regard to the unfair parole practices taking place in NYS today. We recognize that you need encouragement as well.
I personally realize that as tough as it may seem to be doing 10,20,or even 30 or more years behind these walls, that nothing can compare to a woman, child, friend, or a parent sticking by your side relentlessly during all that time. You all deserve our support for doing all you do for us out there. Many, if not most, of us never take into account your innumerable sacrifices. Today I say thank you, for all of us. Thank you for trusting, hoping, enduring and never giving up on us. Thank you for having the "courage" to display the forgiving spirit God has embedded in all of us.
That said, I ask your attention to the plight of countless "Juvenile Offenders" serving time behind these prison walls. For most of us, we weren't a part of the gangs you see on our streets today. We were children born and raised in the crack-cocaine epidemic of the 80's. We were the kids ridiculed in school, because we did not own a pair of Jordan sneakers, or have a leather bomber. We were the children who turned to selling drugs to get those things because our parents were crack-addicts, and there wasn't any food in our kitchens.
We were also the children who found guns on the streets, or held guns for drug dealers while they sold their drugs. We saw them shoot people or get shot. We grew up wanting to imitate them, because we were infatuated with their style of living. Some of us were forced into the streets and had to embrace it because there was nothing at home. For most of us, we believed in the lies and treachery of the 80's. We believed that this was the only way to live. We believed that it WAS life! So we played with fake guns, and purchased fake jewelry. We stuffed plaster inside of empty crack vials we found sprawled all over the floors of our parks and hallways.
Many, if not most, of us were 13, 14,15 years of age when we took innocent life. No one cared to pay attention to why. We did not come from nurturing homes. There was no parental guidance. We were orphans of the streets. Many of whom could not show proper remorse for our actions at that time because we were born and raised when the streets were numb to any sign of natural affection. I was one of these children. I was fifteen years old when I took another fifteen year old's life in the Bronx back in 1990.
My crime was senseless, deplorable, and outright shocking to my conscience. What though, did anyone expect, when in 1989 and 1990 combined there were more people killed on the streets of NYC than those lost in the World Trade Center. There were an average of ten or more people killed each day. What do you tell a child who lived and breathed death everyday of his/her life? A child who most likely saw a bullet riddled corpse before he or she was even nine years old? A sight that would not have given that child nightmares because it was so common. I personally knew of or saw 15 murders and deaths between 1984 and 1990, before I committed my crime.
I am in no way trying to condemn the persons who spawned these incidents. I cannot. For each of us, our circumstances are different. Furthermore, I believe in change and more importantly, I believe in second chances. For as Almighty God, our Father, says, "I take delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living." (Ezekial 33:11) New World Translation.
After 10, 15, 20, or 30 years, the statistics prove that many of us who served these sentences have indeed turned back from our wicked ways. We have embraced both God and society's view of reform. We opened ourselves up to believe in a system geared toward rehabilitation. We conquered our stubbornness and allowed our hearts to heal and to become warm once again. We did this because we were offered change, and with that change was supposed to come freedom.
I am asking that you raise your voices for us. Those of us like Cecil Myers, Jiya Kennedy, Maurice Himes, Danny Vasquez, Danny Mohika, Dalton Harriet, Anthony Jermont, Zulu Davis, Craig Simpson, Shamel Saunders, Michael Rico, and those I can only remember by nickname, Kwame, Little Co, Smurf, Moe, D. Black, Fonze, Speed, Nitty, and many others not mentioned. We all grew up in prison. We were raised by the streets and now this system. A system that does work if you let it. We were raised in a decade reminiscent of our modern day Darfur. Give us a voice. I think we deserve it.
Thank you, Waki Milling 95A1840
7. WORDS FROM ANTHONY PAPA: DON'T MISUSE THE LAW TO PUNISH KINGPINS
To the Editor:
Re "Setting Kingpins Free," by Leslie Crocker Snyder ( New York Times Op-Ed, July 16 ):
In 1984, I was deemed a "drug kingpin" by the Westchester District Attorney's Office when I was arrested for a four-ounce sale of cocaine. When the facts came out, it was obvious that I was no kingpin, but instead a low-level drug offender. But I was still sentenced to 15 years to life under the Rockefeller drug laws when I rejected a plea bargain. After serving 12 years, I was granted clemency by Gov. George E. Pataki.
Recently, a report released by Bridget G. Brennan, New York City's special prosecutor for narcotics, proclaimed that high-level drug offenders are being released under the Drug Law Reform Act of 2004. Ms. Brennan called for a kingpin statute. I agree. We do need a kingpin statue that would be applied to major traffickers. But it should not be used as a prosecutorial tool to encourage sentencing pleas from defendants like me.
There are hundreds of low-level, nonviolent drug law offenders stuck in prison who deserve to have a chance to regain their freedom. Most have served a tremendous amount of time and are eligible for relief under the changes. They remain jailed because of the "kingpin" rationale that has become a standard response by district attorneys to block applications for re-sentencing under the new reforms.
Anthony Papa, New York
The writer, a communications specialist for the Drug Policy Alliance, is the author of a book about his experience in prison.
8. WORDS FROM RAMON:
I usually use this column to talk about our struggle and the work being done to pursue it, but as we fight for that which is our privilege, we also grow. Part of growing is recognizing those you've hurt, so this month I want to recognize the victims; particularly mine.
My Burden: Over the course of sixteen years I’ve had ample time to contemplate what I’ve already known; I killed someone. I realize now, like I realized then, that what I did is wrong. At a deep level I have come to understand and accept responsibility for my actions. I’ve had the opportunity to look back and see the face of a man in terror. A man that I helped kill. Now I understand the terror that the victim showed me but at the time I could not take in.
I say to him now: “I’m sorry. Your life wasn’t mine to take; I’m sorry I cut it short; I’m sorry I took from you what God gave to you. I apologize to your family and loved ones for taking you and all your potential from them.” I also apologize to my family for having put them through this entire ordeal. But most importantly I apologize to society for the crime I committed, for the fear and scars I helped plant in every heart and soul.
I could have walked away.... I SHOULD have walked away.... Instead I will carry the guilt, weight and burden of two men on my shoulders for the rest of MY life.
Please forgive me. Ramon Gonzalez 92A7663
9.
Family Empowerment Day #2
Saturday, October 21st, 2006
11am - 3 pm
50 East 7th Street, near 2nd Ave.
(Middle Collegiate Church)
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
FOR
SOCIAL JUSTICE,
PAROLE REFORM AND
ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT
Keynote Speakers include Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Discussion Groups
Information Tables
Petitions
Letter Writing
free refreshments
Directions: Subway: Lexington Local #6 train to Astor Place stop; Broadway Line #N,R,or W train to 8 St NYU stop. Bus: The Second Ave M-15 local bus stops at 6th and 8th St., as does the uptown First Ave M-15 bus.
Sponsored by the Coalition of Family and Community.
For more information, please call: 716-834-8438, 518 253-7533, 845 616-9698, 212 426-9881
October is finally here, the month The Coalition of Family and Community has been preparing for since April. In 21 days we will meet at 50 East 7th Street near Second Avenue in Manhattan, at Middle Collegiate Church, for Family Empowerment Day 2, when we’ll join together to begin the Campaign for Social Justice, Parole Reform, and Accountable Government. Article #2 contains more information about the event, and ways to help. We hope to see you on October 21st!
Articles:
#1. Announcements - Documentary about Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing; New time for Voices from The Prison Action Network Radio: 6 am Wed; Ride Board list of rides wanted to prisons.
#2. Family Empowerment Day 2 - Sat.10/21/06, Donations, Sponsors, Agenda, How to help.
Join the Campaign for Social Justice, Parole Reform and Accountable Government
#3. Health Care:Prison Style - Panel Suggests Using Inmates in Drug Trials
#4. Parole - Are we seeing an increase in releases? 27 paroled at one prison, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group; study shows ex-offenders less likely to repeat years later:
#5. Prison Abuse - Attica Remembered, by Wm Clanton; Albany Vigil continues and invites interested people to Soiree Sunday Oct. 15; NAMI Criminal Justice support group forming on S.I.; Baba Eng, human rights advocate, recovering from surgery.
#6. Words from a "Juvenile Offender" by Waki Milling - "Many, if not most of us were 13, 14,15 years of age when we took innocent life. No one cared to pay attention to why."
#7. Words from Anthony Papa - "I was deemed a ‘drug kingpin’ when I was arrested for a four-ounce sale of cocaine. When the facts came out, it was obvious that I was no kingpin, but instead a low-level drug offender."
#8. Words from Ramon - Part of growing is recognizing those you've hurt, so this month I want to recognize the victims; particularly mine....most importantly I apologize to society for the crime I committed, for the fear and scars I helped plant in every heart and soul
#9. FED2 Flyer - What, Where, When, Who, and how....
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH: GEORGE STONEY ON "PRISON ACTION" - 7 PM SCREENING at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 Sixth Avenue - at 101st St in Troy NY
The 2005 documentary "Getting Out" by Stoney and his former student David Bagnall holds true to one of the basic precepts of community media: giving a forum to unheard voices and stories. This film about Rehabilitation Through the Arts, an experimental theater program at the Sing Sing correctional facility designed to prepare inmates for their eventual release, will be followed by a panel discussion and live poetry reading and discussion with Robert Sanchez, who was a participant of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program. Presented with Prison Action Network. Pot-luck to meet George and Robert from 5:30-7:00, with prison reform activists from the Capital Region. More Information at: 518 272 2390 or 253 7533 or The Sanctuary for Independent Media
VOICES FROM THE PRISON ACTION NETWORK will be heard at 6 AM on Wednesday mornings on WRPI Troy, 91.5 FM for the Fall Season. Anyone who would like to join us on the air to talk about issues connected to incarceration is welcome to do so. If you live outside our 75 mile range you can listen at 6 AM on Wednesdays by going to www.wrpi.org.
RIDE BOARD - If you would like to share a ride to the prison where you visit, please send us a note with where to, where from, and your contact info. If you no longer need a ride, please let us know to remove your name.
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - 518 334 2607, freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Fri. 10/6, lvg 8am - Judith 518 282 2029, jbimages@hotmail.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele 646 331 1820, ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - Sat. 11/4, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029, jbimages@hotmail.com
2. FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2, Saturday October 21, 2006
11 am - 3pm
50 East 7th St., near 2nd Ave, at Middle Collegiate Church
CAMPAIGN FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, PAROLE REFORM AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT.
Discussion Groups
Information Tables
Petition Signing
Letter Writing
Donations Still Needed: Funding for the program has come from individual donations: over 200 incarcerated people have donated a total of more than $400. With donations from other sources we have close to what we need, but not enough. If you haven’t already sent money we would appreciate a donation of any size. Make checks or money orders out to Prison Action Network with FED2 in the memo, and mail to the Coalition of Family and Community, HM-IMC, PO Box 35, Troy NY 12181. We are trusting we'll have the money we need. Many people are bringing food to share and asking their local stores to donate. This is a grass roots effort! See below for ways you can contribute.
Sponsors: The Coalition of Family and Community is made up of individuals and the following organizations: Citizens for Restorative Justice [CRJ], Coalition of Families of NYS Lifers, Coalition for Parole Restoration [CPR], Exodus Transitional Community, Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment [ICARE], Operation Prison Gap, Otisville C.F. Lifers Organization, Prison Action Network [PAN], Prisoners Are People Too!, Social Responsibility Council [SRC] Justice Committee of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. [if you think your organization was mistakenly left off this list, please notify us immediately, before we print the Program brochure]
AGENDA INCLUDES:
Master of Ceremonies: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner, denied parole 7X
DISCUSSION GROUPS AND LEADERS:
Leadership Development: Stacey Thompson, Coalition for Women Prisoners Outreach Coordinator
Legal Tactics: Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Legislative Advocacy: Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment).
Parole Appeals: Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., Dir. “Edge of Justice”, private attorney
Parole Board Hearings: Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner, denied parole 7 times
Prison Education: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
Re-Entry Issues for Mothers and Wives : Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Special Needs of Lifers’ Families: Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Successful Organizing: Karima Amin, Dir. “Prisoners Are People Too!”, educator, storyteller, community organizer
CLOSING SPEECH: Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment)
CALL TO ACTION: Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies at Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.
Immediately:
For flyer distribution - at the Operation Prison Gap bus stop at 58th St. and 8th Ave on Friday and Saturday nights from Sept 29 through October 14. Also anywhere else you can think of where prison families and friends will be. Flyers are available at the OPG bus stop. Talk to the bus coordinators - Denise in particular, or call Judith 518 482-2029
To register people to vote - at the above location. If you call me 518 482 2029 or Willie at 646 294 9460, we'll set you up. It's very simple, but you do need forms and short instructions.
To solicit donations of the following things from your friends or people you do business with [including your place of worship or your neighborhood store owners]:
a tray of food for our potluck lunch
coffee
tea bags
paper and pens for attendees
paper cups, plates, napkins
snacks
juice
water
donuts, muffins, bagels
butter, cream cheese
Before the Event - 10 AM sharp:
Anyone who can show up at 10 am to take directions from the harried team who will be trying to get it all set up within the one hour we have for preparations. Sign making, moving tables, setting up coffee and breakfast snacks.....
Performers who would dance, sing; choirs, solo performers, break dancing, socially responsible Rap, to entertain the people passing by or waiting to get in.
Shoppers: for last minute supplies.
At the Event:
Registrars - we need to get the names and contact info of every person who attends because we need to keep in touch following the event. This is not a one-shot deal but the beginning of a campaign. We want sign-in to go as smoothly as possible.
Computer entry - someone with a laptop and knowledge of data entry to enter the information gathered by the registrars, as it is received.
Greeters - friendly folks to greet people as they arrive, show them the bathrooms, etc.
Outside greeters with flyers [1 at front door, 1 at corner, 1 at side door] to help people find the right door, and maybe interest some passersby to attend.
Child care helpers - to help children who are wandering or disruptive to join activities we will have available. [there's no space set aside for this, so we are not encouraging childrens' attendance, but we want to keep the children happy who do attend]
Thank you very much for helping with the preparations for this powerful meeting! Let me know what you can do, and I'll support you in doing it: Judith at 518 482 2029, or prisonaction@hotmail.com
3. HEALTH CARE - PRISON STYLE
August 13, 2006 Panel Suggests Using Inmates in Drug Trials By IAN URBINA [EXCERPTS]
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 7 — An influential federal panel of medical advisers has recommended that the government loosen regulations that severely limit the testing of pharmaceuticals on prison inmates, a practice that was all but stopped three decades ago after revelations of abuse.
The proposed change includes provisions intended to prevent problems that plagued earlier programs. Nevertheless, it has dredged up a painful history of medical mistreatment and incited debate among prison rights advocates and researchers about whether prisoners can truly make uncoerced decisions, given the environment they live in.
Supporters of such programs cite the possibility of benefit to prison populations, and the potential for contributing to the greater good.
.....“The current regulations are entirely outdated and restrictive, and prisoners are being arbitrarily excluded from research that can help them,” said Ernest D. Prentice, a University of Nebraska genetics professor and the chairman of a Health and Human Services Department committee that requested the study. Mr. Prentice said the regulation revision process would begin at the committee’s next meeting, on Nov. 2.
....... the committee’s report comes against the backdrop of a prison population that has more than quadrupled, to about 2.3 million, over the last 30 years and that disproportionately suffers from H.I.V. and hepatitis C, diseases that some researchers say could be better controlled if new research were permitted in prisons.
Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman, a New York dermatologist who worked at Holmesburg during the 1960’s trials as a second-year resident from the University of Pennsylvania, said he remained skeptical. “I saw it firsthand,” Dr. Ackerman said. “What started as scientific research became pure business, and no amount of regulations can prevent that from happening again.”
Daniel S. Murphy, a professor of criminal justice at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., who was imprisoned for five years in the 1990’s for growing marijuana, said that loosening the regulations would be a mistake.
“Free and informed consent becomes pretty questionable when prisoners don’t hold the keys to their own cells,” Professor Murphy said, “and in many cases they can’t read, yet they are signing a document that it practically takes a law degree to understand.”
Barclay Walsh contributed research for this article.
4. PAROLE
Releases: Rumor has it that the number of parole releases has dramatically increased in the last month or two. Any coincidence between that and the fact that 7 of the current parole board will be replaced at the beginning of the next term? Or that the man with the power to hire and fire them is on his way out? Or that we’ve all been hard at work sending letters and petitions in support of parole reform? I’ll make a guess and say that all of the above had something to do with it. And so we should all give ourselves a pat on the back, take some credit, and then get back to work fighting for justice! Welcome home to all those granted parole! [27 paroled at Otisville, 9 with violent offenses, 4 from the Lifer’s Group.] And may all the rest of you community-ready men and women follow soon.
Ex-Offenders Less Likely To Repeat Years Later: Study
Should employers be willing gamble on hiring someone with a rap sheet?, asks St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Ruben Rosario. A new study by two University of South Carolina criminologists found that ex-offenders with years-old rap sheets are less likely to re-offend than those recently released. The study, "Scarlet Letters and Recidivism: Does an old criminal record predict future offending?," analyzed previous studies and crunched original data tracking offenders and non-offenders in Philadelphia since 1958. It recommends several policy changes, including expunging records for some offenders.
The study found that most folks tend to re-offend or violate terms of their probation [sic] within a few months or years of their release. Those who stayed law abiding still suffered from employment difficulties years after the offense, even though they were less likely to re-offend. "We would like to encourage policymakers through our study to seriously consider whether we can afford to have a policy where we have carte balance exclusion of such offenders for jobs,'' said co-author Robert Brame. The study, from the journal Criminology & Public Policy, can be found at this site ..... St. Paul Pioneer Press
5. PRISON ABUSE
Attica Remembered, by William Clanton
I'd like to take a moment to remember the many brothers who were killed in the Attica massacre on 9/13/1971, and the many who afterwards suffered being beaten and treated like no living being should be. My prayers are with them, their families and friends. "We have not forgotten".
It's appalling how something so horrific as this has been forgotten by so many when today's prison population is at an all time high [2.2 million] and growing, and many facilities closely resemble the conditions and treatment of 30 years ago. I have seen in my years in prison the use of excessive force on inmates for issues as small as talking on the gate or just not having the right look on your face when in the presence of certain officers. Brothers and Sisters on the Inside and the Outside, please know that little has changed in these institutions regarding abuse that we have been undergoing in these places since they've opened. We are very much in need of support from the outside to address these issues.
- William Clanton O3A4400
Albany Vigil for the Victims of Prison Abuse
Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street. Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities. Show that you care. Join us at the vigil and sign the petition at www.stopprisonabuse.org
All are invited to attend a SOIREE and fundraiser to help raise awareness, ideas, and funds for stopprisonabuse.org. Sunday, October 15th, 5:00 pm / 152 Lancaster Street / Albany (between Dove and Swan).
For information call 518 727 4335 or 917 656 8046 or email courtney920@hotmail.com.
National Alliance for the Mentally ILL [NAMI], Staten Island, NY
Criminal Justice Support Group: We are in the process of forming a support group for family members and friends of loved ones who live with mental illness and who are incarcerated or who have come in contact with the criminal justice system.
For those who would be interested in joining our support group please call 718-477-1700,
e-mail namistatenisland@aol.com, or write 930 Willowbrook Road, Building 41A, S. I. NY 10314. We look forward to hearing from you. Together we can make a difference
Human Rights Advocate, Baba Eng, is Recuperating
GEORGE BABA ENG had shoulder replacement surgery on August 31, 2006 in Rome Memorial Hospital. Baba is a politicized prisoner who has worked for many years as a law library clerk and "jailhouse lawyer," and as a champion for more humane treatment for all behind bars. He is currently recovering in the prison hospital. He will be moved to general population in a few days. Complete recovery for this kind of surgery takes about 18 months. You may send letters of support to George Baba Eng, DIN 77A4777, Auburn C.F. 135 State Street, Box 618, Auburn, NY 13021.
Baba's life and work were the catalyst for the founding of "Prisoners Are People Too!" For more information, call Karima Amin 716-834-8438.
6. WORDS FROM A "JUVENILE OFFENDER" by Waki Milling:
Many of us in here are encouraged by what PAN, CPR, and other organizations are trying to accomplish in regard to the unfair parole practices taking place in NYS today. We recognize that you need encouragement as well.
I personally realize that as tough as it may seem to be doing 10,20,or even 30 or more years behind these walls, that nothing can compare to a woman, child, friend, or a parent sticking by your side relentlessly during all that time. You all deserve our support for doing all you do for us out there. Many, if not most, of us never take into account your innumerable sacrifices. Today I say thank you, for all of us. Thank you for trusting, hoping, enduring and never giving up on us. Thank you for having the "courage" to display the forgiving spirit God has embedded in all of us.
That said, I ask your attention to the plight of countless "Juvenile Offenders" serving time behind these prison walls. For most of us, we weren't a part of the gangs you see on our streets today. We were children born and raised in the crack-cocaine epidemic of the 80's. We were the kids ridiculed in school, because we did not own a pair of Jordan sneakers, or have a leather bomber. We were the children who turned to selling drugs to get those things because our parents were crack-addicts, and there wasn't any food in our kitchens.
We were also the children who found guns on the streets, or held guns for drug dealers while they sold their drugs. We saw them shoot people or get shot. We grew up wanting to imitate them, because we were infatuated with their style of living. Some of us were forced into the streets and had to embrace it because there was nothing at home. For most of us, we believed in the lies and treachery of the 80's. We believed that this was the only way to live. We believed that it WAS life! So we played with fake guns, and purchased fake jewelry. We stuffed plaster inside of empty crack vials we found sprawled all over the floors of our parks and hallways.
Many, if not most, of us were 13, 14,15 years of age when we took innocent life. No one cared to pay attention to why. We did not come from nurturing homes. There was no parental guidance. We were orphans of the streets. Many of whom could not show proper remorse for our actions at that time because we were born and raised when the streets were numb to any sign of natural affection. I was one of these children. I was fifteen years old when I took another fifteen year old's life in the Bronx back in 1990.
My crime was senseless, deplorable, and outright shocking to my conscience. What though, did anyone expect, when in 1989 and 1990 combined there were more people killed on the streets of NYC than those lost in the World Trade Center. There were an average of ten or more people killed each day. What do you tell a child who lived and breathed death everyday of his/her life? A child who most likely saw a bullet riddled corpse before he or she was even nine years old? A sight that would not have given that child nightmares because it was so common. I personally knew of or saw 15 murders and deaths between 1984 and 1990, before I committed my crime.
I am in no way trying to condemn the persons who spawned these incidents. I cannot. For each of us, our circumstances are different. Furthermore, I believe in change and more importantly, I believe in second chances. For as Almighty God, our Father, says, "I take delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living." (Ezekial 33:11) New World Translation.
After 10, 15, 20, or 30 years, the statistics prove that many of us who served these sentences have indeed turned back from our wicked ways. We have embraced both God and society's view of reform. We opened ourselves up to believe in a system geared toward rehabilitation. We conquered our stubbornness and allowed our hearts to heal and to become warm once again. We did this because we were offered change, and with that change was supposed to come freedom.
I am asking that you raise your voices for us. Those of us like Cecil Myers, Jiya Kennedy, Maurice Himes, Danny Vasquez, Danny Mohika, Dalton Harriet, Anthony Jermont, Zulu Davis, Craig Simpson, Shamel Saunders, Michael Rico, and those I can only remember by nickname, Kwame, Little Co, Smurf, Moe, D. Black, Fonze, Speed, Nitty, and many others not mentioned. We all grew up in prison. We were raised by the streets and now this system. A system that does work if you let it. We were raised in a decade reminiscent of our modern day Darfur. Give us a voice. I think we deserve it.
Thank you, Waki Milling 95A1840
7. WORDS FROM ANTHONY PAPA: DON'T MISUSE THE LAW TO PUNISH KINGPINS
To the Editor:
Re "Setting Kingpins Free," by Leslie Crocker Snyder ( New York Times Op-Ed, July 16 ):
In 1984, I was deemed a "drug kingpin" by the Westchester District Attorney's Office when I was arrested for a four-ounce sale of cocaine. When the facts came out, it was obvious that I was no kingpin, but instead a low-level drug offender. But I was still sentenced to 15 years to life under the Rockefeller drug laws when I rejected a plea bargain. After serving 12 years, I was granted clemency by Gov. George E. Pataki.
Recently, a report released by Bridget G. Brennan, New York City's special prosecutor for narcotics, proclaimed that high-level drug offenders are being released under the Drug Law Reform Act of 2004. Ms. Brennan called for a kingpin statute. I agree. We do need a kingpin statue that would be applied to major traffickers. But it should not be used as a prosecutorial tool to encourage sentencing pleas from defendants like me.
There are hundreds of low-level, nonviolent drug law offenders stuck in prison who deserve to have a chance to regain their freedom. Most have served a tremendous amount of time and are eligible for relief under the changes. They remain jailed because of the "kingpin" rationale that has become a standard response by district attorneys to block applications for re-sentencing under the new reforms.
Anthony Papa, New York
The writer, a communications specialist for the Drug Policy Alliance, is the author of a book about his experience in prison.
8. WORDS FROM RAMON:
I usually use this column to talk about our struggle and the work being done to pursue it, but as we fight for that which is our privilege, we also grow. Part of growing is recognizing those you've hurt, so this month I want to recognize the victims; particularly mine.
My Burden: Over the course of sixteen years I’ve had ample time to contemplate what I’ve already known; I killed someone. I realize now, like I realized then, that what I did is wrong. At a deep level I have come to understand and accept responsibility for my actions. I’ve had the opportunity to look back and see the face of a man in terror. A man that I helped kill. Now I understand the terror that the victim showed me but at the time I could not take in.
I say to him now: “I’m sorry. Your life wasn’t mine to take; I’m sorry I cut it short; I’m sorry I took from you what God gave to you. I apologize to your family and loved ones for taking you and all your potential from them.” I also apologize to my family for having put them through this entire ordeal. But most importantly I apologize to society for the crime I committed, for the fear and scars I helped plant in every heart and soul.
I could have walked away.... I SHOULD have walked away.... Instead I will carry the guilt, weight and burden of two men on my shoulders for the rest of MY life.
Please forgive me. Ramon Gonzalez 92A7663
9.
Family Empowerment Day #2
Saturday, October 21st, 2006
11am - 3 pm
50 East 7th Street, near 2nd Ave.
(Middle Collegiate Church)
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN
FOR
SOCIAL JUSTICE,
PAROLE REFORM AND
ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT
Keynote Speakers include Robert Isseks, Esq. Lead Attorney in the Pending Class Action Law Suit Challenging Present Unfair Parole Policies
Discussion Groups
Information Tables
Petitions
Letter Writing
free refreshments
Directions: Subway: Lexington Local #6 train to Astor Place stop; Broadway Line #N,R,or W train to 8 St NYU stop. Bus: The Second Ave M-15 local bus stops at 6th and 8th St., as does the uptown First Ave M-15 bus.
Sponsored by the Coalition of Family and Community.
For more information, please call: 716-834-8438, 518 253-7533, 845 616-9698, 212 426-9881
Thursday, August 31, 2006
September 2006 - Building Bridges
Dear Reader,
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting very excited! Change is in the air. Family Empowerment Day 2 is gathering momentum. Parole Chairman Dennison is telling all at Beacon; the Class Action Lawsuit against Parole is going into Discovery; Courts are ruling against parole decisions; Pataki is on his way out and a new Governor (hopefully with fresh ideas) is coming in. It’s up to us to send a loud, clear, unwavering message at FED2, where media, advocates and politicians will be in attendance. It looks like we’re going to have a huge crowd, so get there early to be sure you get a seat. The Coalition has lined up some truly amazing people to talk to us about what they’ve accomplished and to help us get involved in the movement toward Justice. [See next to last article for details.] Parole is the main issue, but the most important thing is learning how to work together to create the changes that we all want. United we stand, divided we fall. We cannot let ourselves be divided. We must come together to work for what will improve life for all of us. If you’re reading this from your prison cell, encourage your loved ones to skip their visit on Sat 10/21 and attend Family Empowerment Day 2 instead. If you’re reading this from home, your loved one needs you to be out here working to improve conditions for him or her. We’ll have a great day together! This is a chance to give hope a chance, and to be renewed in the struggle for justice and freedom.
Articles:
1. ALBANY VIGILS FOR THE VICTIMS OF PRISON ABUSE - “Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities.” Show that you care.
2. CHURCH TO PRISON PROJECT - “thanks to you who wrote in response to the article last month”
3. FEDERAL PAROLE BILL H.R.3072 - Support the restoration of federal parole.
4. FROM INSIDE (WILLIAM CLANTON, DENIS MARVIN) - WC: “As much as I am in agreement with Chief Judge Judith Kaye’s Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services, I must ponder on the sincerity of the recommendations.”, DM: “I am a 61 year old man serving a 25 years to life sentence... a story changed my life.”
5. HOW TO GET SECTION 8 OR PUBLIC HOUSING, EVEN WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD - “This guide tells people how they can get into Section 8 and public housing even if they – or someone in their household – has a criminal record or is in recovery from a drug or alcohol problem.”
6. MEETINGS - for those recently released, on parole, or with an incarcerated loved one; in Albany, Poughkeepsie, Buffalo.
7. PRISON RADIO PROGRAMS - Hudson River communities have 3 to choose from.
8. SEEKING CASES OF ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW ABUSES - “The NYC Bar Association is working to put together a portfolio of cases that show a pattern of people being unfairly treated by the Rockefeller drug laws”
9. SHERRY BABY. A FILM ABOUT REENTRY - “Three years after entering prison for robbery as a 19-year-old heroin addict, Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins her first day of freedom, clean and sober.”
10. SHU BILL VETOED BY PATAKI - Headlines from around the State.
11. TELEPHONE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN - “With families in the forefront, we CAN achieve the reform that is so urgently needed to end the existing Verizon/MCI contract and to ensure proper oversight of future telephone service contracts in the prison system.”
12. TRANSPORTATION TO PRISONS - Find a ride: NEST Shuttle, Free Rides, Ride Board [NEW this month; find a ride or give one].or support those riding the DOCS free bus.
Last: FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2 - “WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SLATE OF SPEAKERS AND DISCUSSION LEADERS!:”
LATE BREAKING NEWS: PATAKI APPOINTS ACTING DOCS COMMISSIONER
1. ALBANY VIGILS FOR THE VICTIMS OF PRISON ABUSE
1. Every Monday at 12 noon, State Street at the entrance to the Legislative Building
2. Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street
Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities. Show that you care. Join us. For information call 518 727 4335 or 917 656 8046 or email, courtney920@hotmail.com
2. CHURCH TO PRISON PROJECT
The Justice Committee of FUUSA thanks those who wrote in response to the article last month describing their project to match NYS UU churches with persons incarcerated in NYS to engage in an issues-focused correspondence. The group will be reviewing those letters at their next meeting on Sept 17, as they begin their new season of work on the project.
3. FEDERAL PAROLE BILL H.R.3072
Would restore parole for federal prisoners.
For details of the bill, or for petition, visit www.fedcure.org, or write to FedCURE Plantation, Florida 33318-5667
4. FROM INSIDE (WILLIAM CLANTON, MARVIN DENIS)
Greetings to the Prison Action Network:
My prayers and condolences for the loss of Ms. Janet Elizabeth Lippincott Lugo. Anyone who sacrifices as she did deserves to be acknowledged and remembered. I’d like to find out how I can purchase the book she was co-author of. [“Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists (1976)” can be ordered from: PREAP, 3049 East Genesee Street , Syracuse, New York 13224 , Single copy ..$6.50 + $.50 postage & handling (Enclose payment for single orders) Ed.]
As much as I am in agreement with Chief Judge Judith Kaye’s Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services, I must ponder on the sincerity of the recommendations. Its findings are obvious as thousands of men and women have and remain to suffer from the very poor representation they received. Perhaps something should be done for those of us who have already suffered the ramifications of this injustice.
Not in any way to down play this issue of legal representation reform but let’s bear in mind the many politics surrounding some of the recent issues arising. If addressing the injustices is truly an issue then let’s begin in the many impoverished areas where minorities are being disproportionately targeted and sent to prison, by creating more jobs, and giving children in city schools equal education. Let’s not wait until they need equal and quality legal representation!
A few months ago I wrote that prisoners here in Coxsackie were trying to start a program called . C.H.I.S.E.L., an empowerment program to deal with emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of being in prison and returning back into society. According to the administration here we are in need of support from an outside organization. I humbly request the help of established organizations on the outside to assist in this needed endeavor which will address the impact of incarceration. Please send all letters to me at Coxsackie C.F., PO Box 999, Coxsackie NY 12051.
Sincerely, William Clanton 03A4400
This I Believe:
I am a 61 year old man serving a 25 years to life sentence in a NYS prison. As a result, I have lost my wife, children, home and the comforts that 38 years of hard work enabled me to accumulate. Awakening each day I found myself mired in a swamp of dysfunction and violence that typifies life in a maximum security prison. As my world constricted around me, it suffocated my desire to go on living. There was no way I was going to survive until age 82 and my first parole board hearing. I felt like I had been thrown away and had been buried in a deep hole.
In our lives, if we are truly lucky, our soul is touched by another very special soul. For me that person has been my wife, Hohdel, whose support sustained me. She saw what was happening and sent me a copy of a story that has changed my life.
It was about a farmer whose old donkey had fallen into an abandoned well in a field. After locating the animal, the farmer decided that the well was too deep and the animal was not worth saving. He called his neighbors who all came with their shovels to help fill in the hole. As they started shoveling, the dirt rained down on the donkey and it kicked and brayed loudly in protest to being buried. I felt just like that donkey as the miseries of prison life rained down on me.
Then something strange happened. It became quiet at the bottom of the well. The farmer glanced over the edge and there was the donkey just standing there. As the dirt rained down on its back to bury him, he would shake it off his back and step up; shake it off his back and step up. As the well filled in, he got closer and closer to the top until he was able to step out and walk away.
What I believe is that I can be just like that donkey. If I kept shaking off the horrors associated with my prison environment, I too can step up and someday walk away. The same method that works everywhere else will work for me in prison. To accomplish this, I have surrounded myself with positive people. Yes! There are positive people even in prison and they reside in a self help, inmate run program called Network at the Clinton Correctional Facility Annex in upstate NY.
We voluntarily meet every day of the year for up to six hours to develop and practice new attitudes and behaviors needed to replace the ones that lead us to come to prison. Our programs deal with such things as decision making, overcoming all types of addiction, living a life without violence, learning to be assertive, and mastering parenting skills.
I’ve learned that prison doesn’t have to be a grave for my any more than it was for that donkey.
---Marvin Denis, 99B2409
5. HOW TO GET SECTION 8 OR PUBLIC HOUSING, EVEN WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD
From the Legal Action Center: A Guide for New York City Housing Authority Applicants and their Advocates
This guide tells people in New York City how they can get into Section 8 and public housing even if they – or someone in their household – has a criminal record or is in recovery from a drug or alcohol problem. It contains:
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) admissions policies for people with criminal records and recent illegal drug use,
• an explanation of the NYCHA appeals process,
• step-by-step suggestions for how to gather the evidence of rehabilitation necessary to gain housing, and
• sample letters of reference – the type that have proven useful in convincing housing authorities to admit people with criminal records and/or drug histories.
Though the manual focuses on New York City Housing Authority policies, its chapter on How Can You Win Your Hearing? can help people applying to any local housing authority. Its thorough advice for how to marshal evidence of rehabilitation applies equally to housing, employment, or occupational licenses.
This guide is a must-have for case workers, social workers, counselors, paralegals, and others who are helping individuals with criminal records and/or drug histories access public housing.
Go to the Center’s web site, www.lac.org, then click “ publications,” then "free publications" then “criminal justice”, and scroll down to the name of the guide) to download a free copy of the guide. If you can’t do that, Building Bridges will do it for you, but we’ll have to charge you $10. for printing and postage (it’s 80 pages long...)
Also note that through the Legal Action Center’s partnership with the major law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton, the Center can get legal representation for some individuals who have been denied public housing or Section 8 due to a criminal record or drug history. To see if you are eligible for assistance, call the Center at (212) 243-1313 on Tuesdays and Fridays and ask to speak with a paralegal. The Center has additional funding for individuals with HIV, so if you (or your client) is HIV positive, you can mention that and speak to a paralegal any day of the week.
Visit Legal Action Center’s web sites: www.lac.org, www.hirenetwork.org
Legal Action Center
225 Varick Street New York, New York 10014
Phone: 212-243-1313 Fax: 212-675-0286
E-mail: lacinfo@lac.org
6. MEETINGS:
A. Prison Families of New York groups:
ALBANY
7-8:30 pm every Monday at The Womens Bldg. 79 Central Ave, Albany. Ring the bell for the library and lounge to get in. Alison at 518 453 6659.
POUGHKEEPSIE
7 - 8:30 pm Monday Sept 11 and Sept 25 at the Family Partnership Building 29 North Hamilton Street. Deb at 845-616-9698, dabboz@aol.com
B. Other Advocacy/Self-Help Groups:
CITIZENS FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. Thur. Sept 7 at the Family Partnership building at 29 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie. Deb at 845-616-9698 or dabboz@aol.com
COALITION OF FAMILIES OF NYS LIFERS: Any family member or friend of a prisoner with life at the end of their sentence is invited to contact the Coalition of Families of New York State Lifers, PO Box 1314, Wappinger Falls, New York 12590 or liferfamilies@yahoo.com
. If you know anyone who is a family member or friend of a prisoner, please encourage them to write.
SURVIVING THE CITY: A support group for formerly incarcerated people in Albany - Sept 9 and 23 and every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month - 11:30 am
176 Sheridan Ave, at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless Bldg.
Together, we're working to advance ourselves far beyond the walls that incarcerate us!!!
All formerly incarcerated individuals are welcome to come and share their hopes, inspirations, and experiences.
Call Nathan at 518 368 3480 for more information.
"PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO!" will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 25, 2006 at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, NY, from 6:30-9:00 pm. Programs feature a documentary film on some prison-related issue, guest speakers and a follow-up discussion. The final 30 minutes offers some time for networking, community building, action organizing and camaraderie. Light refreshments are always provided. This program is sponsored by "The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders" and "Friends of Baba Eng." For more information, call Karima Amin 716-834-8438.
"THE CONTINUUM OF CRIMINAL INJUSTICE," is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, NY, from 6:00-9:00pm. The goal of the symposium is to take "an insightful look at the death sentence, wrongful arrests and convictions, excessive charges, and wrongful sentences." The keynote speaker will be David Kaczynski, director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty. Featured presenters include: William Babbitt, board member of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights; John Walker, who served 23 years for a crime he didn't commit, and who is now on lifetime parole; Gary Beamon, who spent time on death row for a crime for which he was later acquitted; and Evangelist Nora Massey, mother of Terrol Massey, who was recently found guilty of murder, a crime he allegedly committed at age 16. This program is being sponsored by the Community Action Organization, the Buffalo Local Action Committee, and Prisoners Are People Too! For more information, call Linda Williams at 716-881-5150, ext. 4410.
7. PRISON RADIO PROGRAMS
VOICES FROM THE PRISON ACTION NETWORK will be heard at 5:00pm on Tuesdays at WRPI Troy, 91.5 FM, until Sept 18, and probably at a new time after that, more than likely in the early morning . For those outside broadcast range, you can listen live at www.wrpi.org. Voices from the Prison Action Network is part of the Indymedia Radio Program which currently starts at 3 and ends at 6. Preceding Indymedia Radio, from 12-2 on Tuesdays, you can hear Wild Style Breaks hosted by DJ Sho' Nuf. Democracy Now! is also heard on WRPI Troy, every day at 9am.
THE FANCY BROCCOLI SHOW airs on somewhat alternate Sundays from 3 - 6pm on Independent Radio WVKR 91.3 FM, Poughkeepsie NY. WVKR streams online - go to www.live365.comand search for WVKR.
ON THE COUNT! WBAI 99.5 FM - Pacifica Radio in NYC 10:30 a.m.-12:00 N Saturdays
8. SEEKING CASES OF ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW ABUSES:
This is from a letter sent to Joe Rudd, who forwarded it to Building Bridges:
My name is Michael Silverstein and I work for the NYC Bar Association. We’re a public interest organization engaged in public interest advocacy in Albany, including reform of the Rockefeller drug laws.
We are working to put together a portfolio of cases that show a pattern of people being unfairly treated by the Rockefeller drug laws; cases that highlight the injustice of its extreme sentences that are not helped by existing reforms. If you could describe any cases that you know of, or could point me in the direction of people who may be able to help further, please let me know.
It’s always a long road to reform in Albany, but we can make progress on this issue. I thank you greatly for whatever assistance you may be able to provide.
Please write to me at: Michael Silverstein, msilverstein@nycbar.org
or 42 W 44th St., Third Floor, NY NY 10036.
9. SHERRY BABY. A FILM ABOUT REENTRY
From the movie’s website: Three years after entering prison for robbery as a 19-year-old heroin addict, Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins her first day of freedom, clean and sober. A model prisoner who has undergone personal transformation, she immediately sets out to regain custody of her young daughter Alexis (Ryan Simpkins), who has been cared for in her absence by her brother Bobby (Brad Henke) and his wife Lynn (Bridget Barkan).
Unprepared for the demands of the world she's stepped back into, Sherry's hopes of staying clean, getting a job, and becoming a responsible mother are challenged by the realities of unemployment, halfway houses, and parole restrictions. Bobby and Lynn's concerns about Sherry's ability to care for Alexis, and her inability to prove them wrong, threaten to destroy the already delicate relationship she has with her daughter, as well as her newfound sobriety.
Disillusioned and haunted by wounds from her childhood, Sherry is eventually confronted with life-altering questions about her own survival and what it means to be a good mother. Ultimately she learns that as the harsh realities of life often get in the way of her best intentions, sometimes it's best to take life one small step at a time.
It’s opening at the Landmark in NYC on September 8th. If you see it and would like to write a review, we’d be glad to publish it.
You can see the trailer at: www.sherrybaby-film/
10. SHU BILL VETOED BY PATAKI:
Alternatives to Solitary Confinement for Incarcerated Individuals with Severe Mental Illness
A.3926/S.2207
New York State Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubrey D-Queens, and Senator Nozzolio introduced A.3926/S.2207, making it illegal to place people with psychiatric disabilities in SHUs, and creating alternative therapeutic housing areas for people with psychiatric disabilities who are having difficulties functioning in prison. It provides for the creation of psychiatric correctional facilities and transitional services programs for state prison inmates with severe mental illness. This legislation would also provide for psychiatric correctional facilities to be jointly operated by the Department of Corrections and the Office of Mental Health.
06/23/06: PASSED SENATE, 08/04/06: Delivered to governor, 8/17/06: VETOED by Pataki
"In all, Pataki vetoed more than 70 bills on Thursday, many of them passed overwhelmingly in the Republican-controlled Senate and Democrat-controlled Assembly. That raises the possibility that the chambers could override some or all of the vetoes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber in special sessions this fall." Michael Gormley, Associated Press August 17, 2006
PATAKI'S NO-CARE PACKAGE GOV'S MOVE WILL KEEP MENTALLY ILL INMATES IN SOLITARY AND IS SURE TO END MORE LIVES by Errol Louis New York Daily News August 18, 2006: ....It looks like Gov. Pataki won't be running for President as a compassionate conservative. A few days after hobnobbing with potential voters at the Iowa State Fair - a well-known early stop for White House hopefuls - Pataki flew back home and this week vetoed a bill, overwhelmingly approved by the New York State Legislature, that would ban state prisons from putting mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement.
EFFORT TO BAN SOLITARY FOR MENTALLY ILL PRISONERS FAILS by MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press Writer August 17, 2006 ALBANY, N.Y. .... A bill that would have banned solitary confinement for dangerous mentally ill prisoners was vetoed Thursday by Gov. George Pataki. In his veto message, Pataki said prisons need to be able to impose disciplinary segregation to protect inmates and staff "from those who are unwilling to adhere to even the most minimum levels of civilized behavior." ... "While we work to ensure that prison inmates receive appropriate mental health services, we must do so in a way that is consistent with our obligation to ensure the continued preservation of the safety, security and order of the state's correctional facilities," Pataki said.
PATAKI VETOES PRISON BILL REGARDING MENTALLY ILL INMATES By: John Milgrim Ottaway News Service August 18, 2006 ALBANY- “Gov. George Pataki vetoed legislation meant to end the placement of mentally ill prison inmates into solitary confinement and to provide them with new treatment facilities....’It's a bitter disappointment,’ said Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. ‘He (Pataki) missed a great opportunity to make New York state a national leader. It's a terrible thing.’....’Besides being inhumane, placing a mentally ill inmate in solitary confinement makes a bad situation worse,’ said state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn. ‘It creates prisoners who are more disruptive, more disturbed and more likely to hurt themselves or others.’ ...It could not be determined Thursday whether the Legislature planned to override the veto. “[emphasis added]
11. TELEPHONE JUSTICE
Every week on Wednesday encourage everyone you know to call Governor Pataki (212) 681-4580 or (518) 474-8390 and Verizon (800) 621-9900 from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays to say "I’m calling in support of the NY Campaign for Telephone Justice to ask that you put an end to the prison phone contract between Verizon/MCI and DOCS."
The New York Campaign for Telephone Justice is a project of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Prison Families Community Forum and Prison Families of NY, Inc. Each year, New York State receives 57.5% of Verizon/MCI’s prison telephone profits in the form of commissions, which the state uses to fund basic prisoner services such as health care. Each year, these commissions equal more than $20 million from the pockets of our families. Through lawsuits, legislative reform, public education and grassroots organizing, the campaign works to mobilize opposition against this foul partnership between Verizon/MCI and the New York State Department of Corrections (NYDOCS) that collects millions of dollars in profits each year from families maintaining telephone contact with their loved ones in prison by charging them 630% more than the average consumer ($3.00 connection fee and $0.16 per minute). The NY Campaign for Telephone Justice brings this injustice to the attention of the broader public through a range of media, events, legislative advocacy and direct actions. With families in the forefront, help from you to get the word out and by continuing to apply public pressure, we CAN achieve the reform that is so urgently needed to end the existing Verizon/MCI contract and to ensure proper oversight of future telephone service contracts in the prison system. If you are as outraged as I am -- I urge you to take action.
In solidarity and struggle, Marion Rodriguez, Organizer, NY Campaign for Telephone Justice
12. TRANSPORTATION TO PRISONS
A. PRISON ACTION NETWORK AND THE SRC JUSTICE COMMITTEE WILL MEET DOCS FREE BUS at the Albany bus terminal, 5:15AM on Saturday morning September 9. The bus will be traveling to Green Haven and Fishkill, and if needed to Mid-State. We will meet on Friday afternoon [Sept. 8] to prepare packets. Please call 518 253-7533 for location.
B. THE SRC JUSTICE COMMITTEE OFFERS RIDES: CALL 518 253-7533 IF YOU NEED A RIDE FROM ALBANY TO VISIT YOUR INCARCERATED LOVED ONE [there is no charge for this service]. Drivers are available only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
C. THE NEST PRISON SHUTTLE leaves Oakwood Ave Presbyt. Church parking lot, Troy, at 7 AM, and Albany Greyhound Bus station at 7:15 AM: Mt. McGregor, Washington, and Great Meadow Facilities on Sat, Sept 2 ($30 adults, $20 children), Coxsackie, Greene, Hudson Facilities, Sat, Sept. 9 and Sat, Sept. 23 ($15 adults and $10 children). Trip to the Utica Hub (Midstate, Marcy, Mohawk, Oneida) Sat, Sept. 16 leaving Troy at 5 AM ($40 adults, $25 children). Call for reservations and information: Linda O'Malley 518- 273-5199.
D. RIDE BOARD - If you would like to share a ride to the prison where you visit, please send us a note with where to, where from, and your contact info. We'll post it here. Here are the first requests:
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele - ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - 9/3, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029
To Sullivan from Albany - N. Johnson - 518 472 0217
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2
October 21, 2006, 11 am - 3:00 pm
Enter at 50 East 7th Street (near Second Avenue, Manhattan)
Middle Collegiate Church
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND PAROLE REFORM
Family Empowerment Day 2 will be an event where families and supporters can meet one another to discuss ways to make things better for ourselves and our incarcerated loved ones.
AGENDA: KEYNOTE SPEECHES, DISCUSSION GROUPS, NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS, INFORMATION TABLES, PETITIONS, LETTER WRITING
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SLATE OF SPEAKERS AND DISCUSSION LEADERS!:
Karima Amin, Dir. “Prisoners Are People Too!”, educator, storyteller, community organizer
Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
Robert Isseks, Esq., Lead Attorney in the pending class action suit against Parole
Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., Dir. “Edge of Justice”, private attorney
Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner,denied parole 7X
Stacey Thompson, CWP Outreach Coordinator
Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment).
DISCUSSION GROUPS:
Successful Organizing (Karima Amin),
Re-Entry Issues for Mothers and Wives (Safiya Bandele),
Special Needs of Lifers’ Families (Deb Bozydaj),
Prison Education (Mark Chapman),
Legal Tactics (Robert N. Isseks, Esq.),
Parole Appeals (Cheryl L. Kates, Esq.),
Parole Board Hearings (Willie Thomas, M.A.)
Leadership Development (Stacey Thompson),
Legislative Advocacy (Rima Vesely-Flad)
For more information or to volunteer your help, please email prisonaction@hotmail.com or call:
Western NY: 716-834-8438
Capital District: 518 253-7533
Poughkeepsie Area: 845 616-9698
Be There to Show You Care!
REMEMBER: OUR DISENFRANCHISED LOVED ONES IN PRISON NEED US TO DO 2 THINGS FOR THEM:
1. VOTE!
[If you have never registered or you have moved since you last voted, you will need to fill out a voter registration form and mail it before October 13, or hand deliver it to a Board of Elections by October 18. To be eligible to vote, you must be a US citizen and not serving a sentence for a felony, or on parole. People on probation ARE entitled to vote, as is anyone who has been discharged from parole. - Election Law 5-106.]
2. ATTEND FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2!
LATE BREAKING NEWS:
NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR PATAKI PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2006
GOVERNOR PATAKI NAMES LECLAIRE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ACTING COMMISSIONER
Governor George E. Pataki has named Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities Lucien J. Leclaire, Jr. as Acting Commissioner. Mr. Leclaire will replace Commissioner Glenn S. Goord, who is retiring after 32 years of service.
“I’m proud of the work accomplished with Glenn Goord at the helm of our correctional facilities,” Governor Pataki said. “Mr. Goord’s service has resulted in the creation, implementation and oversight of some of the Department's best innovations and improvements: including the Shock Incarceration Program and ensuring each prison meets nationally-accepted standards, operating at the safest level in 25 years.”
“I'm confident that Lucien Leclaire, Jr. will ensure that New York State’s prisons will continue to maintain the highest of standards that has been this systems’ hallmark for the past 11 years. His vast experience as a member of the Department for close to 30 years demonstrates that he can oversee and manage the 31,500 employees and 63,400 inmates held at our 69 state correctional facilities.”
Mr. Leclaire began his career with the Department as a Correction Officer in March 1977. He rose through the security ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain at various facilities until September of 1994 when he was appointed Director of Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) operations. In April of 1998, Mr. Leclaire was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Facility Operations followed by his appointment to his current position of Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities on April 15, 1999.
Glenn S. Goord, who began as a prison drug counselor and worked to become Commissioner of the New York State Department of Correctional Services - the fourth largest state prison system in the nation - will retire effective August 30, 2006. Mr. Goord's commitment to security contributes to the fact that inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults in recent years were the fewest in nearly a quarter-century. In 1997, Mr. Goord’s outstanding contributions to furthering excellence in corrections has earned him many awards, including the E.R. Cass Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Correctional Association (ACA).
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting very excited! Change is in the air. Family Empowerment Day 2 is gathering momentum. Parole Chairman Dennison is telling all at Beacon; the Class Action Lawsuit against Parole is going into Discovery; Courts are ruling against parole decisions; Pataki is on his way out and a new Governor (hopefully with fresh ideas) is coming in. It’s up to us to send a loud, clear, unwavering message at FED2, where media, advocates and politicians will be in attendance. It looks like we’re going to have a huge crowd, so get there early to be sure you get a seat. The Coalition has lined up some truly amazing people to talk to us about what they’ve accomplished and to help us get involved in the movement toward Justice. [See next to last article for details.] Parole is the main issue, but the most important thing is learning how to work together to create the changes that we all want. United we stand, divided we fall. We cannot let ourselves be divided. We must come together to work for what will improve life for all of us. If you’re reading this from your prison cell, encourage your loved ones to skip their visit on Sat 10/21 and attend Family Empowerment Day 2 instead. If you’re reading this from home, your loved one needs you to be out here working to improve conditions for him or her. We’ll have a great day together! This is a chance to give hope a chance, and to be renewed in the struggle for justice and freedom.
Articles:
1. ALBANY VIGILS FOR THE VICTIMS OF PRISON ABUSE - “Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities.” Show that you care.
2. CHURCH TO PRISON PROJECT - “thanks to you who wrote in response to the article last month”
3. FEDERAL PAROLE BILL H.R.3072 - Support the restoration of federal parole.
4. FROM INSIDE (WILLIAM CLANTON, DENIS MARVIN) - WC: “As much as I am in agreement with Chief Judge Judith Kaye’s Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services, I must ponder on the sincerity of the recommendations.”, DM: “I am a 61 year old man serving a 25 years to life sentence... a story changed my life.”
5. HOW TO GET SECTION 8 OR PUBLIC HOUSING, EVEN WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD - “This guide tells people how they can get into Section 8 and public housing even if they – or someone in their household – has a criminal record or is in recovery from a drug or alcohol problem.”
6. MEETINGS - for those recently released, on parole, or with an incarcerated loved one; in Albany, Poughkeepsie, Buffalo.
7. PRISON RADIO PROGRAMS - Hudson River communities have 3 to choose from.
8. SEEKING CASES OF ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW ABUSES - “The NYC Bar Association is working to put together a portfolio of cases that show a pattern of people being unfairly treated by the Rockefeller drug laws”
9. SHERRY BABY. A FILM ABOUT REENTRY - “Three years after entering prison for robbery as a 19-year-old heroin addict, Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins her first day of freedom, clean and sober.”
10. SHU BILL VETOED BY PATAKI - Headlines from around the State.
11. TELEPHONE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN - “With families in the forefront, we CAN achieve the reform that is so urgently needed to end the existing Verizon/MCI contract and to ensure proper oversight of future telephone service contracts in the prison system.”
12. TRANSPORTATION TO PRISONS - Find a ride: NEST Shuttle, Free Rides, Ride Board [NEW this month; find a ride or give one].or support those riding the DOCS free bus.
Last: FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2 - “WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SLATE OF SPEAKERS AND DISCUSSION LEADERS!:”
LATE BREAKING NEWS: PATAKI APPOINTS ACTING DOCS COMMISSIONER
1. ALBANY VIGILS FOR THE VICTIMS OF PRISON ABUSE
1. Every Monday at 12 noon, State Street at the entrance to the Legislative Building
2. Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street
Those now incarcerated will one day be released and will need to readjust and contribute to our communities. Show that you care. Join us. For information call 518 727 4335 or 917 656 8046 or email, courtney920@hotmail.com
2. CHURCH TO PRISON PROJECT
The Justice Committee of FUUSA thanks those who wrote in response to the article last month describing their project to match NYS UU churches with persons incarcerated in NYS to engage in an issues-focused correspondence. The group will be reviewing those letters at their next meeting on Sept 17, as they begin their new season of work on the project.
3. FEDERAL PAROLE BILL H.R.3072
Would restore parole for federal prisoners.
For details of the bill, or for petition, visit www.fedcure.org, or write to FedCURE Plantation, Florida 33318-5667
4. FROM INSIDE (WILLIAM CLANTON, MARVIN DENIS)
Greetings to the Prison Action Network:
My prayers and condolences for the loss of Ms. Janet Elizabeth Lippincott Lugo. Anyone who sacrifices as she did deserves to be acknowledged and remembered. I’d like to find out how I can purchase the book she was co-author of. [“Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists (1976)” can be ordered from: PREAP, 3049 East Genesee Street , Syracuse, New York 13224 , Single copy ..$6.50 + $.50 postage & handling (Enclose payment for single orders) Ed.]
As much as I am in agreement with Chief Judge Judith Kaye’s Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services, I must ponder on the sincerity of the recommendations. Its findings are obvious as thousands of men and women have and remain to suffer from the very poor representation they received. Perhaps something should be done for those of us who have already suffered the ramifications of this injustice.
Not in any way to down play this issue of legal representation reform but let’s bear in mind the many politics surrounding some of the recent issues arising. If addressing the injustices is truly an issue then let’s begin in the many impoverished areas where minorities are being disproportionately targeted and sent to prison, by creating more jobs, and giving children in city schools equal education. Let’s not wait until they need equal and quality legal representation!
A few months ago I wrote that prisoners here in Coxsackie were trying to start a program called . C.H.I.S.E.L., an empowerment program to deal with emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of being in prison and returning back into society. According to the administration here we are in need of support from an outside organization. I humbly request the help of established organizations on the outside to assist in this needed endeavor which will address the impact of incarceration. Please send all letters to me at Coxsackie C.F., PO Box 999, Coxsackie NY 12051.
Sincerely, William Clanton 03A4400
This I Believe:
I am a 61 year old man serving a 25 years to life sentence in a NYS prison. As a result, I have lost my wife, children, home and the comforts that 38 years of hard work enabled me to accumulate. Awakening each day I found myself mired in a swamp of dysfunction and violence that typifies life in a maximum security prison. As my world constricted around me, it suffocated my desire to go on living. There was no way I was going to survive until age 82 and my first parole board hearing. I felt like I had been thrown away and had been buried in a deep hole.
In our lives, if we are truly lucky, our soul is touched by another very special soul. For me that person has been my wife, Hohdel, whose support sustained me. She saw what was happening and sent me a copy of a story that has changed my life.
It was about a farmer whose old donkey had fallen into an abandoned well in a field. After locating the animal, the farmer decided that the well was too deep and the animal was not worth saving. He called his neighbors who all came with their shovels to help fill in the hole. As they started shoveling, the dirt rained down on the donkey and it kicked and brayed loudly in protest to being buried. I felt just like that donkey as the miseries of prison life rained down on me.
Then something strange happened. It became quiet at the bottom of the well. The farmer glanced over the edge and there was the donkey just standing there. As the dirt rained down on its back to bury him, he would shake it off his back and step up; shake it off his back and step up. As the well filled in, he got closer and closer to the top until he was able to step out and walk away.
What I believe is that I can be just like that donkey. If I kept shaking off the horrors associated with my prison environment, I too can step up and someday walk away. The same method that works everywhere else will work for me in prison. To accomplish this, I have surrounded myself with positive people. Yes! There are positive people even in prison and they reside in a self help, inmate run program called Network at the Clinton Correctional Facility Annex in upstate NY.
We voluntarily meet every day of the year for up to six hours to develop and practice new attitudes and behaviors needed to replace the ones that lead us to come to prison. Our programs deal with such things as decision making, overcoming all types of addiction, living a life without violence, learning to be assertive, and mastering parenting skills.
I’ve learned that prison doesn’t have to be a grave for my any more than it was for that donkey.
---Marvin Denis, 99B2409
5. HOW TO GET SECTION 8 OR PUBLIC HOUSING, EVEN WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD
From the Legal Action Center: A Guide for New York City Housing Authority Applicants and their Advocates
This guide tells people in New York City how they can get into Section 8 and public housing even if they – or someone in their household – has a criminal record or is in recovery from a drug or alcohol problem. It contains:
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) admissions policies for people with criminal records and recent illegal drug use,
• an explanation of the NYCHA appeals process,
• step-by-step suggestions for how to gather the evidence of rehabilitation necessary to gain housing, and
• sample letters of reference – the type that have proven useful in convincing housing authorities to admit people with criminal records and/or drug histories.
Though the manual focuses on New York City Housing Authority policies, its chapter on How Can You Win Your Hearing? can help people applying to any local housing authority. Its thorough advice for how to marshal evidence of rehabilitation applies equally to housing, employment, or occupational licenses.
This guide is a must-have for case workers, social workers, counselors, paralegals, and others who are helping individuals with criminal records and/or drug histories access public housing.
Go to the Center’s web site, www.lac.org, then click “ publications,” then "free publications" then “criminal justice”, and scroll down to the name of the guide) to download a free copy of the guide. If you can’t do that, Building Bridges will do it for you, but we’ll have to charge you $10. for printing and postage (it’s 80 pages long...)
Also note that through the Legal Action Center’s partnership with the major law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton, the Center can get legal representation for some individuals who have been denied public housing or Section 8 due to a criminal record or drug history. To see if you are eligible for assistance, call the Center at (212) 243-1313 on Tuesdays and Fridays and ask to speak with a paralegal. The Center has additional funding for individuals with HIV, so if you (or your client) is HIV positive, you can mention that and speak to a paralegal any day of the week.
Visit Legal Action Center’s web sites: www.lac.org, www.hirenetwork.org
Legal Action Center
225 Varick Street New York, New York 10014
Phone: 212-243-1313 Fax: 212-675-0286
E-mail: lacinfo@lac.org
6. MEETINGS:
A. Prison Families of New York groups:
ALBANY
7-8:30 pm every Monday at The Womens Bldg. 79 Central Ave, Albany. Ring the bell for the library and lounge to get in. Alison at 518 453 6659.
POUGHKEEPSIE
7 - 8:30 pm Monday Sept 11 and Sept 25 at the Family Partnership Building 29 North Hamilton Street. Deb at 845-616-9698, dabboz@aol.com
B. Other Advocacy/Self-Help Groups:
CITIZENS FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. Thur. Sept 7 at the Family Partnership building at 29 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie. Deb at 845-616-9698 or dabboz@aol.com
COALITION OF FAMILIES OF NYS LIFERS: Any family member or friend of a prisoner with life at the end of their sentence is invited to contact the Coalition of Families of New York State Lifers, PO Box 1314, Wappinger Falls, New York 12590 or liferfamilies@yahoo.com
. If you know anyone who is a family member or friend of a prisoner, please encourage them to write.
SURVIVING THE CITY: A support group for formerly incarcerated people in Albany - Sept 9 and 23 and every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month - 11:30 am
176 Sheridan Ave, at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless Bldg.
Together, we're working to advance ourselves far beyond the walls that incarcerate us!!!
All formerly incarcerated individuals are welcome to come and share their hopes, inspirations, and experiences.
Call Nathan at 518 368 3480 for more information.
"PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO!" will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 25, 2006 at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, NY, from 6:30-9:00 pm. Programs feature a documentary film on some prison-related issue, guest speakers and a follow-up discussion. The final 30 minutes offers some time for networking, community building, action organizing and camaraderie. Light refreshments are always provided. This program is sponsored by "The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders" and "Friends of Baba Eng." For more information, call Karima Amin 716-834-8438.
"THE CONTINUUM OF CRIMINAL INJUSTICE," is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at the Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, NY, from 6:00-9:00pm. The goal of the symposium is to take "an insightful look at the death sentence, wrongful arrests and convictions, excessive charges, and wrongful sentences." The keynote speaker will be David Kaczynski, director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty. Featured presenters include: William Babbitt, board member of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights; John Walker, who served 23 years for a crime he didn't commit, and who is now on lifetime parole; Gary Beamon, who spent time on death row for a crime for which he was later acquitted; and Evangelist Nora Massey, mother of Terrol Massey, who was recently found guilty of murder, a crime he allegedly committed at age 16. This program is being sponsored by the Community Action Organization, the Buffalo Local Action Committee, and Prisoners Are People Too! For more information, call Linda Williams at 716-881-5150, ext. 4410.
7. PRISON RADIO PROGRAMS
VOICES FROM THE PRISON ACTION NETWORK will be heard at 5:00pm on Tuesdays at WRPI Troy, 91.5 FM, until Sept 18, and probably at a new time after that, more than likely in the early morning . For those outside broadcast range, you can listen live at www.wrpi.org. Voices from the Prison Action Network is part of the Indymedia Radio Program which currently starts at 3 and ends at 6. Preceding Indymedia Radio, from 12-2 on Tuesdays, you can hear Wild Style Breaks hosted by DJ Sho' Nuf. Democracy Now! is also heard on WRPI Troy, every day at 9am.
THE FANCY BROCCOLI SHOW airs on somewhat alternate Sundays from 3 - 6pm on Independent Radio WVKR 91.3 FM, Poughkeepsie NY. WVKR streams online - go to www.live365.comand search for WVKR.
ON THE COUNT! WBAI 99.5 FM - Pacifica Radio in NYC 10:30 a.m.-12:00 N Saturdays
8. SEEKING CASES OF ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW ABUSES:
This is from a letter sent to Joe Rudd, who forwarded it to Building Bridges:
My name is Michael Silverstein and I work for the NYC Bar Association. We’re a public interest organization engaged in public interest advocacy in Albany, including reform of the Rockefeller drug laws.
We are working to put together a portfolio of cases that show a pattern of people being unfairly treated by the Rockefeller drug laws; cases that highlight the injustice of its extreme sentences that are not helped by existing reforms. If you could describe any cases that you know of, or could point me in the direction of people who may be able to help further, please let me know.
It’s always a long road to reform in Albany, but we can make progress on this issue. I thank you greatly for whatever assistance you may be able to provide.
Please write to me at: Michael Silverstein, msilverstein@nycbar.org
or 42 W 44th St., Third Floor, NY NY 10036.
9. SHERRY BABY. A FILM ABOUT REENTRY
From the movie’s website: Three years after entering prison for robbery as a 19-year-old heroin addict, Sherry Swanson (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins her first day of freedom, clean and sober. A model prisoner who has undergone personal transformation, she immediately sets out to regain custody of her young daughter Alexis (Ryan Simpkins), who has been cared for in her absence by her brother Bobby (Brad Henke) and his wife Lynn (Bridget Barkan).
Unprepared for the demands of the world she's stepped back into, Sherry's hopes of staying clean, getting a job, and becoming a responsible mother are challenged by the realities of unemployment, halfway houses, and parole restrictions. Bobby and Lynn's concerns about Sherry's ability to care for Alexis, and her inability to prove them wrong, threaten to destroy the already delicate relationship she has with her daughter, as well as her newfound sobriety.
Disillusioned and haunted by wounds from her childhood, Sherry is eventually confronted with life-altering questions about her own survival and what it means to be a good mother. Ultimately she learns that as the harsh realities of life often get in the way of her best intentions, sometimes it's best to take life one small step at a time.
It’s opening at the Landmark in NYC on September 8th. If you see it and would like to write a review, we’d be glad to publish it.
You can see the trailer at: www.sherrybaby-film/
10. SHU BILL VETOED BY PATAKI:
Alternatives to Solitary Confinement for Incarcerated Individuals with Severe Mental Illness
A.3926/S.2207
New York State Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubrey D-Queens, and Senator Nozzolio introduced A.3926/S.2207, making it illegal to place people with psychiatric disabilities in SHUs, and creating alternative therapeutic housing areas for people with psychiatric disabilities who are having difficulties functioning in prison. It provides for the creation of psychiatric correctional facilities and transitional services programs for state prison inmates with severe mental illness. This legislation would also provide for psychiatric correctional facilities to be jointly operated by the Department of Corrections and the Office of Mental Health.
06/23/06: PASSED SENATE, 08/04/06: Delivered to governor, 8/17/06: VETOED by Pataki
"In all, Pataki vetoed more than 70 bills on Thursday, many of them passed overwhelmingly in the Republican-controlled Senate and Democrat-controlled Assembly. That raises the possibility that the chambers could override some or all of the vetoes with a two-thirds vote in each chamber in special sessions this fall." Michael Gormley, Associated Press August 17, 2006
PATAKI'S NO-CARE PACKAGE GOV'S MOVE WILL KEEP MENTALLY ILL INMATES IN SOLITARY AND IS SURE TO END MORE LIVES by Errol Louis New York Daily News August 18, 2006: ....It looks like Gov. Pataki won't be running for President as a compassionate conservative. A few days after hobnobbing with potential voters at the Iowa State Fair - a well-known early stop for White House hopefuls - Pataki flew back home and this week vetoed a bill, overwhelmingly approved by the New York State Legislature, that would ban state prisons from putting mentally ill inmates in solitary confinement.
EFFORT TO BAN SOLITARY FOR MENTALLY ILL PRISONERS FAILS by MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press Writer August 17, 2006 ALBANY, N.Y. .... A bill that would have banned solitary confinement for dangerous mentally ill prisoners was vetoed Thursday by Gov. George Pataki. In his veto message, Pataki said prisons need to be able to impose disciplinary segregation to protect inmates and staff "from those who are unwilling to adhere to even the most minimum levels of civilized behavior." ... "While we work to ensure that prison inmates receive appropriate mental health services, we must do so in a way that is consistent with our obligation to ensure the continued preservation of the safety, security and order of the state's correctional facilities," Pataki said.
PATAKI VETOES PRISON BILL REGARDING MENTALLY ILL INMATES By: John Milgrim Ottaway News Service August 18, 2006 ALBANY- “Gov. George Pataki vetoed legislation meant to end the placement of mentally ill prison inmates into solitary confinement and to provide them with new treatment facilities....’It's a bitter disappointment,’ said Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. ‘He (Pataki) missed a great opportunity to make New York state a national leader. It's a terrible thing.’....’Besides being inhumane, placing a mentally ill inmate in solitary confinement makes a bad situation worse,’ said state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn. ‘It creates prisoners who are more disruptive, more disturbed and more likely to hurt themselves or others.’ ...It could not be determined Thursday whether the Legislature planned to override the veto. “[emphasis added]
11. TELEPHONE JUSTICE
Every week on Wednesday encourage everyone you know to call Governor Pataki (212) 681-4580 or (518) 474-8390 and Verizon (800) 621-9900 from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays to say "I’m calling in support of the NY Campaign for Telephone Justice to ask that you put an end to the prison phone contract between Verizon/MCI and DOCS."
The New York Campaign for Telephone Justice is a project of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Prison Families Community Forum and Prison Families of NY, Inc. Each year, New York State receives 57.5% of Verizon/MCI’s prison telephone profits in the form of commissions, which the state uses to fund basic prisoner services such as health care. Each year, these commissions equal more than $20 million from the pockets of our families. Through lawsuits, legislative reform, public education and grassroots organizing, the campaign works to mobilize opposition against this foul partnership between Verizon/MCI and the New York State Department of Corrections (NYDOCS) that collects millions of dollars in profits each year from families maintaining telephone contact with their loved ones in prison by charging them 630% more than the average consumer ($3.00 connection fee and $0.16 per minute). The NY Campaign for Telephone Justice brings this injustice to the attention of the broader public through a range of media, events, legislative advocacy and direct actions. With families in the forefront, help from you to get the word out and by continuing to apply public pressure, we CAN achieve the reform that is so urgently needed to end the existing Verizon/MCI contract and to ensure proper oversight of future telephone service contracts in the prison system. If you are as outraged as I am -- I urge you to take action.
In solidarity and struggle, Marion Rodriguez, Organizer, NY Campaign for Telephone Justice
12. TRANSPORTATION TO PRISONS
A. PRISON ACTION NETWORK AND THE SRC JUSTICE COMMITTEE WILL MEET DOCS FREE BUS at the Albany bus terminal, 5:15AM on Saturday morning September 9. The bus will be traveling to Green Haven and Fishkill, and if needed to Mid-State. We will meet on Friday afternoon [Sept. 8] to prepare packets. Please call 518 253-7533 for location.
B. THE SRC JUSTICE COMMITTEE OFFERS RIDES: CALL 518 253-7533 IF YOU NEED A RIDE FROM ALBANY TO VISIT YOUR INCARCERATED LOVED ONE [there is no charge for this service]. Drivers are available only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
C. THE NEST PRISON SHUTTLE leaves Oakwood Ave Presbyt. Church parking lot, Troy, at 7 AM, and Albany Greyhound Bus station at 7:15 AM: Mt. McGregor, Washington, and Great Meadow Facilities on Sat, Sept 2 ($30 adults, $20 children), Coxsackie, Greene, Hudson Facilities, Sat, Sept. 9 and Sat, Sept. 23 ($15 adults and $10 children). Trip to the Utica Hub (Midstate, Marcy, Mohawk, Oneida) Sat, Sept. 16 leaving Troy at 5 AM ($40 adults, $25 children). Call for reservations and information: Linda O'Malley 518- 273-5199.
D. RIDE BOARD - If you would like to share a ride to the prison where you visit, please send us a note with where to, where from, and your contact info. We'll post it here. Here are the first requests:
To Bedford Hills from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Gt. Meadow from Albany - Qasim - freeb2beme@yahoo.com
To Malone (Franklin C.F.) from NYC - Safiya Bandele - ibnk@aol.com
To Otisville from Albany - 9/3, lv’g 7am - Judith - 518 482 2029
To Sullivan from Albany - N. Johnson - 518 472 0217
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2
October 21, 2006, 11 am - 3:00 pm
Enter at 50 East 7th Street (near Second Avenue, Manhattan)
Middle Collegiate Church
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND PAROLE REFORM
Family Empowerment Day 2 will be an event where families and supporters can meet one another to discuss ways to make things better for ourselves and our incarcerated loved ones.
AGENDA: KEYNOTE SPEECHES, DISCUSSION GROUPS, NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS, INFORMATION TABLES, PETITIONS, LETTER WRITING
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SLATE OF SPEAKERS AND DISCUSSION LEADERS!:
Karima Amin, Dir. “Prisoners Are People Too!”, educator, storyteller, community organizer
Safiya Bandele, Director, Women's Center, Medgar Evers College CUNY, Performance artist
Deb Bozydaj, Mother of a Lifer
Mark Chapman, Chair of African and African-American Studies At Fordham Univ. and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics in the NYTS MPS Program at Sing Sing
Robert Isseks, Esq., Lead Attorney in the pending class action suit against Parole
Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., Dir. “Edge of Justice”, private attorney
Willie Thomas, 29+ yrs a prisoner,denied parole 7X
Stacey Thompson, CWP Outreach Coordinator
Rima Vesely-Flad, Dir. “ICARE” (Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Re-entry and Employment).
DISCUSSION GROUPS:
Successful Organizing (Karima Amin),
Re-Entry Issues for Mothers and Wives (Safiya Bandele),
Special Needs of Lifers’ Families (Deb Bozydaj),
Prison Education (Mark Chapman),
Legal Tactics (Robert N. Isseks, Esq.),
Parole Appeals (Cheryl L. Kates, Esq.),
Parole Board Hearings (Willie Thomas, M.A.)
Leadership Development (Stacey Thompson),
Legislative Advocacy (Rima Vesely-Flad)
For more information or to volunteer your help, please email prisonaction@hotmail.com or call:
Western NY: 716-834-8438
Capital District: 518 253-7533
Poughkeepsie Area: 845 616-9698
Be There to Show You Care!
REMEMBER: OUR DISENFRANCHISED LOVED ONES IN PRISON NEED US TO DO 2 THINGS FOR THEM:
1. VOTE!
[If you have never registered or you have moved since you last voted, you will need to fill out a voter registration form and mail it before October 13, or hand deliver it to a Board of Elections by October 18. To be eligible to vote, you must be a US citizen and not serving a sentence for a felony, or on parole. People on probation ARE entitled to vote, as is anyone who has been discharged from parole. - Election Law 5-106.]
2. ATTEND FAMILY EMPOWERMENT DAY 2!
LATE BREAKING NEWS:
NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR PATAKI PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2006
GOVERNOR PATAKI NAMES LECLAIRE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ACTING COMMISSIONER
Governor George E. Pataki has named Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities Lucien J. Leclaire, Jr. as Acting Commissioner. Mr. Leclaire will replace Commissioner Glenn S. Goord, who is retiring after 32 years of service.
“I’m proud of the work accomplished with Glenn Goord at the helm of our correctional facilities,” Governor Pataki said. “Mr. Goord’s service has resulted in the creation, implementation and oversight of some of the Department's best innovations and improvements: including the Shock Incarceration Program and ensuring each prison meets nationally-accepted standards, operating at the safest level in 25 years.”
“I'm confident that Lucien Leclaire, Jr. will ensure that New York State’s prisons will continue to maintain the highest of standards that has been this systems’ hallmark for the past 11 years. His vast experience as a member of the Department for close to 30 years demonstrates that he can oversee and manage the 31,500 employees and 63,400 inmates held at our 69 state correctional facilities.”
Mr. Leclaire began his career with the Department as a Correction Officer in March 1977. He rose through the security ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain at various facilities until September of 1994 when he was appointed Director of Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) operations. In April of 1998, Mr. Leclaire was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Facility Operations followed by his appointment to his current position of Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Facilities on April 15, 1999.
Glenn S. Goord, who began as a prison drug counselor and worked to become Commissioner of the New York State Department of Correctional Services - the fourth largest state prison system in the nation - will retire effective August 30, 2006. Mr. Goord's commitment to security contributes to the fact that inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults in recent years were the fewest in nearly a quarter-century. In 1997, Mr. Goord’s outstanding contributions to furthering excellence in corrections has earned him many awards, including the E.R. Cass Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Correctional Association (ACA).
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