New York State prisons strip people of their fundamental rights, while simultaneously failing to create access to higher education and opportunities for self-development. New York State also fails to respect people’s self-determined gender in determining housing and access to commissary.
Secure the dignity and opportunity of New Yorkers behind bars.
The Problem
How We’ll Solve It
New York must protect the rights, humanity, and access to education of people in prison.
Rights Behind Bars (S.7772/A.1261)
addresses longstanding human rights issues that have become particularly acute in NY prisons and jails in recent years, including restoring care packages, enhancing visits with loved ones, stopping violations of the HALT solitary law, addressing officer brutality, and more.
Human Rights in Jails and Prisons (S.6611/A.2746A)
would add jails and prisons to the definition of sites of public accommodation for the purpose of anti-discrimination human rights enforcement by the Human Rights Division.
Gender Identity Respect, Dignity and Safety Act (S.1049/A.709A)
ensures that people are placed and given access to commissary items based on their self-identified gender.
No Slavery in NY Act (S.225C/A.3412C), Fairness and Opportunity for Incarcerated Workers Act (S.1208/A.7452)
address the modern day slavery that currently exists in our prisons and jails by outlawing forced labor, providing fair wages and worker health and safety protections, and ensuring that all prison labor programs provide the skills and training necessary for successful rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration into the community.
Voting Rights for People in Prison (S.160/A.412)
ends Jim Crow era voter disenfranchisement of Black and Latinx New Yorkers by restoring voting rights to people in prison.
Connecting Families (S.1942A/A.2266)
makes phone calls in prison free.
Right to In-Person Visits (S.3318A/A.6488A)
codifies the right to in-person visits so families can spend time with their incarcerated loved ones.
The CARE Act (S.7132A/A.7630A)
Ensures safety for babies and incarcerated pregnant or postpartum mothers.
| Human Rights in Jails and Prisons Bill | One-Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Human-Rights-in-Jails-and-Prisons-Bill-One-Pager.pdf |
| Fairness and Opportunity for Incarcerated Workers Act | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/13th-Fwd-latest-1-pager.pdf |
| Jails and prisons as sites of human rights enforcement | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jails-and-prisons-as-sites-of-human-rights-enforcement.pdf |
| Rights Behind Bars | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rights-Behind-Bars-One-Pager.pdf |
| Gender Identity Respect, Dignity & Safety Act | Fact Sheet | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Gender-Identity-Respect-Dignity-and-Safety-Act-Fact-Sheet.pdf |
| Gender Identity Respect, Dignity & Safety Act | NYCLU Legislative Memo | https://www.nyclu.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/20210518-legislativememo-genderidentityrespectdignitysafetyact.pdf |
| Freedom from Forced Labor Act, Fairness and Opportunity for Incarcerated Workers Act | Campaign Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/13th-Fwd-One-Pager-Green.pdf |
| Protect In-person Visiting | Bill Summary | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Protect-In-Person-Visiting-Fact-Sheet-April-2023.pdf |
| Protect In-person Visiting | Campaign Website | https://www.susu-osborne.org/protectvisits-social-media-guide |
| The CARE Act | One Pager | http://justiceroadmapny.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CARE-Act.pdf |