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Two weeks ago, I visited Bedford Hills correctional facility with @VoteJGR & @AmandaSeptimo.
In NY, any elected official can visit any state correctional facility unannounced.
Yet, we were among the first to visit since the start of the pandemic in March — almost a year.
In NY, any elected official can visit any state correctional facility unannounced.
Yet, we were among the first to visit since the start of the pandemic in March — almost a year.
We met incarcerated women through the Incarcerated Persons Liaisons Committee:
One woman told us that she was handcuffed and felt punches rain down on her by an officer.
She reported her grievance in 2019, and still hasn’t heard back.
One woman told us that she was handcuffed and felt punches rain down on her by an officer.
She reported her grievance in 2019, and still hasn’t heard back.
Another woman, who has been incarcerated for 30 yrs, said that the conditions are the worst they've ever been.
And that COVID is just used as a pretext to punishment.
The pandemic has exacerbated the inhumane conditions of a system already built on the dehumanization of people.
And that COVID is just used as a pretext to punishment.
The pandemic has exacerbated the inhumane conditions of a system already built on the dehumanization of people.
The punishment of this system is not only carceral but also via capital.
The starting salary of a woman at Bedford Hills is $0.07/hr.
Commissary Prices:
A chicken costs $6.04
A single tomato costs $1.75
A single broccoli costs $3.40
The starting salary of a woman at Bedford Hills is $0.07/hr.
Commissary Prices:
A chicken costs $6.04
A single tomato costs $1.75
A single broccoli costs $3.40
Throughout the pandemic, the general population has been locked in their cells for 22-23 hrs/day.
This means they only get 1-2 hrs to cook, shower, wash their clothes, recreation, use the phone.
This means they only get 1-2 hrs to cook, shower, wash their clothes, recreation, use the phone.
Corrections officers are not required to undergo COVID testing.
Yet in-cell searches continue & the women are not allowed to clean their cells
Incarcerated women are forced to turn their surgical masks inside out - making them less effective - because blue is a contraband color
Yet in-cell searches continue & the women are not allowed to clean their cells
Incarcerated women are forced to turn their surgical masks inside out - making them less effective - because blue is a contraband color
I heard from officers and supervisors that they’d prefer corrections officers and incarcerated people get their vaccines at the same time.
Yet Larry Schwartz lied to us when he told us that was the plan.
There is still no comprehensive plan for vaccinating incarcerated people.
Yet Larry Schwartz lied to us when he told us that was the plan.
There is still no comprehensive plan for vaccinating incarcerated people.
There are 494 incarcerated women at Bedford, 6 of them in solitary.
About 100 of the women are over the age of 55, with about 30 serving life, and 5 serving life without parole.
There are 10 women in long-term care, I met two of them — Cindy & Martha.
About 100 of the women are over the age of 55, with about 30 serving life, and 5 serving life without parole.
There are 10 women in long-term care, I met two of them — Cindy & Martha.
Martha, 65, worked 22 yrs as a central nurse’s aid & works at the prison library. She needs a cane to walk. She is 9 mo away from release.
Cindy, 63, is a survivor of domestic violence and has been in Bedford for 11 yrs. She has 9 yrs left on her sentence. She uses a walker.
Cindy, 63, is a survivor of domestic violence and has been in Bedford for 11 yrs. She has 9 yrs left on her sentence. She uses a walker.
Our elders should not be in prison.
Elder Parole (A3475) begins to address these inhumane sentences by allowing people in New York State prison aged 55 and older who have served 15 or more consecutive years to be considered for parole.
Elder Parole (A3475) begins to address these inhumane sentences by allowing people in New York State prison aged 55 and older who have served 15 or more consecutive years to be considered for parole.
Elder parole is just one of many steps we must take.
Thanks to advocates, like those at @RAPPcampaign & @CCA_NY, we are fighting for a whole package of bills called the #JusticeRoadmap.
Check it out: https://www.justiceroadmapny.org/
Thanks to advocates, like those at @RAPPcampaign & @CCA_NY, we are fighting for a whole package of bills called the #JusticeRoadmap.
Check it out: https://www.justiceroadmapny.org/
We need to decarcerate and create a plan for vaccinating all incarcerated people now.
This is central to our fight for dignity. We cannot be a just society if we have an unjust carceral system. We must fight to dismantle it — during the pandemic and beyond.
This is central to our fight for dignity. We cannot be a just society if we have an unjust carceral system. We must fight to dismantle it — during the pandemic and beyond.
