‘There is a moral imperative to provide humane care for those who are held in any form of detention, a standard that jails on Rikers could never meet, and which existing borough jails—in their current design—do not yet meet.’
In a statement about one homeless man’s death, Councilmember Robert Holden said, ‘This is a tragic reminder that there are less fortunate who desperately need our help.’ Ironically, Holden has been leading the charge to block the city from opening a shelter in Glendale, Queens.
‘Los Angeles took a huge progressive step in reforming the criminal justice system by choosing to care first, and jail last.’
‘This is the right time for the city to also make a bold commitment to support people with serious and persistent mental and behavioral health needs, in ways that will prevent contact (or further contact) with law enforcement at every possible juncture.’
‘On matters of land use, the City Council traditionally follows the wishes of the Councilmember in whose district the change is proposed. That’s a problematic approach on ordinary matters. And the borough jails plan is extraordinary.’
The national uproar to the recent ICE raids in Mississippi cast a bright light on an issue that stretches well beyond immigration: the practice of arresting parents without adequate regard for the well-being of their children.
‘The plan that is in progress right now is the right plan, it’s one that is viable, it’s moving.’
‘There are advocates who are staunchly opposed to building new facilities. While these advocates and I share many of the same values and goals, there is only one realistic and truly just pathway forward — the building of borough-based jails.’
The weekly WBAI public affairs show gets an update on the recount in the Queens Democratic district attorney primary and checks in with a top advocacy group about where criminal-justice reform stands.
In an otherwise productive session for progressives, efforts to reform the state’s parole system fell short in Albany in the legislative season that ended this week.