Because 90% of all prisoners in the United States are in state facilities, the work that states are doing to reduce their prison populations is crucial. Attempting to end mass incarceration necessitates realizing this is a situation requiring not one national solution, but fifty state solutions. Below are current state solutions that could be effectively modeled by other states for meaningful reform.
“That’s history worth considering as the old foes of reform sing their familiar tune. Governor Cuomo, legislative leaders and Mayor Bill de Blasio, all of whom supported the reforms, should stand proudly behind them. Prosecutors and police unions trying to thwart the will of the voters and undermine the public’s trust in long-overdue reforms should instead get to work making the change.“
New York Times
November 17, 2019
Read More“We’re all for well-considered criminal-justice reform. We championed the federal First Step Act and think there’s still more to do to, for example give ex-offenders better odds of making good in life. But if reformers push too far, too fast, they’re all too likely to set the stage for a harsh swing back the other way.”
New York Post
May 11, 2019
Read More“Two New York prisons — including one at the northern edge of Central Park that commands sweeping views of the famous green space — are going to be closed down for good in the next 90 days, the Daily News has learned.“
New York Daily News
May 17, 2019
Read More“But there are sensible ways of dealing with witness safety concerns. The Brooklyn district attorney’s office, which has for decades made its evidence files readily available, shows that reform is possible. Likewise, the states that have left the old model behind have seen no need to go back to it. It’s time for New York lawmakers to bring the rest of the state in line with this essential notion of justice.“
New York Times
January 15, 2019
Read More"'The question is how high can we aim?' Zeidman said. 'A governor can set a tone. They can use the bully pulpit, and say, ‘I’m going to keep talking about this issue until there’s a bill on my desk'.”
The Appeal
August 28, 2018
Read More"'When you announce a clemency initiative and you raise hopes and expectations, frankly it’s cruel to not actualize it,' said Steve Zeidman, director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at the CUNY School of Law, which is currently helping about 25 people with clemency applications and worked with Judith Clark on her application. 'Multiple people on the inside have told me that false hope is worse than no hope at all'."
The Appeal
August 6, 2018
Read More"In January 2018, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he would pursue an end to money bail for nonviolent offenders, as well pre-trial reforms, including timely evidence discovery and speedy trial requirements. But Governor Cuomo’s budget bill did not include any of these proposed criminal justice reforms, leaving room for Nixon to challenge him on these issues from the left."
In These Times
August 3, 2018
Read More"Mass incarceration has torn families apart and decreased the resources our state could be using to actually keep people safe: better schools, universal health care and good-paying jobs."
Amsterdam News
July 26, 2018
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