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June 02, 2009
Project UNSHACKLE is building a powerful community-based movement at the complex intersection of HIV and mass imprisonment.
Welcome to Project UNSHACKLE!
Confronting HIV and Mass Imprisonment
Project UNSHACKLE is building a powerful community-based movement at the complex intersection of HIV and mass imprisonment.
We are uniting people who are formerly imprisoned, HIV policy advocates, researchers, AIDS service providers, prison justice organizers, people with HIV and other community members, and organizers from allied movements.
Together we are working to address the ways that imprisonment makes our communities more vulnerable to HIV.
http://www.champnetwork.org/unshackle
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Dear CHAMP NY and UNSHACKLE supporters nationwide,
This Friday, June 5th, there will be a public hearing to review two devastating proposals for cutting costs in New York City's jails...
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Public Hearing on the Department of Corrections Request
to Reduce Days for Recreation and Visits in the City Jails
Friday, June 5th
9AM
Spector Hall
22 Reade Street, Manhattan
What are the proposed changes?
#1: Limit the Jail Visiting Schedule to four days per week, rather than the five days that is required under the current standards.
#2: Limit the Recreation Schedule to five days per week (Thursday - Tuesday), rather than meeting the current standard of seven days per week.
Why are these changes being proposed?
The Department of Corrections is trying to cut recreation and visiting days to save costs and balance its budget. We want the Department to explore other ways of balancing its budget that do not cut programming and services for people in prison and their loved ones.
Proposals like this are trickling down across the country, as prison budgets get tightened by cities and states in economic crisis. Our Project UNSHACKLE partners in Philadelphia recently fought a proposal to charge an admission fee for everyone entering the Philadelphia jails, and WON!
Community response is just as critical now in New York City! We need to speak out about the devastating impact these changes would have on people inside the jails, and on the family members and friends who support them.
What can you do about it?
The Board of Corrections has to approve any changes to the minimum standards in the New York City jails. That's why they're holding this public hearing on June 5th at Specter Hall, 22 Reade Street, Manhattan.
This hearing is your chance to tell the Board what you think of the proposals! When you arrive, there will be a sign-up sheet if you wish to provide testimony. Generally, people are called to testify in the order in which they signed up. Be prepared to explain (briefly, since usually people are given a very limited time to speak) how these proposed changes will compromise the well-being of people in prison and their families.
For more information about the hearing and the proposals to cut visiting and recreation days, please email Matthew Schwartz.
If you don't live in New York?
Look into what changes and cuts are being proposed for your local jails and prisons. Project UNSHACKLE can help you with messaging and communications to TAKE ACTION in your area!
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Laura McTighe
Director of Project UNSHACKLE
Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP)
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Posted by lois at June 2, 2009 07:38 PM