Letter to Cardinal Dolan

The Chapter wrote to Cardinal Dolan about his teaching failures in his recent relationship with President Trump. An article from America Magazine about Dolan and Trump is here along with our letter to Cardinal Dolan.

Work on mass incarceration

The Chapter is prioritizing our work in the spirit of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statement on racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts” by focusing on the social justice issues resulting from mass incarceration. Click here to see the chapter statement.

The chapter board has sent letters to the Governor and Senate leaders in support of the bills pending in the legislature to reform solitary confinement (A.2500/S.1623) and several other bills that the board has supported in support of reform of mass incarceration including: Elder Parole and Less is More NY A05493B (help people successfully complete Parole). Some board members have also participated in virtual and actual demonstrations and lobbying for HALT Solitary confinement in NYS. Please join us in supporting these bills pending in Albany by writing to your state assemblypersons, state senators and Governor Cuomo and participating in demonstrations as you can. Use this link for up to date info on actions to support solitary confinement.

HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500)

Solitary confinement meets the definition of torture as defined in the International Treaty against torture, that is, deliberate and intentional infliction of pain and suffering by an agent of the state for punishment and is also considered cruel and inhumane after 15 days. The video prepared by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), Breaking Down the Box, gives a good overview of some of what is grievously wrong with solitary confinement. The NYS Catholic Conference also supports this bill. Clearly this bill will result in a reduction in mass incarceration and result in a fairer more equitable criminal justice system.

Interview with leaders of NYS effort to pass HALT bill for NYS prisons

The H.A.L.T. ( Humane Alternatives to Long Term) Solitary Confinement (A 2500/S. 1623) bill, would limit the time an inmate can spend in solitary confinement. Listen to a discussion with Rev Victor Pate and Jerome Wright, two formally incarcerated men currently working on prison reform and the passage of the HALT Bill in NYS.