NYAPRS Note: On this final day of this year’s NYS Legislative session, advocates for Humane Alternatives To Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act need your help in a series of final actions!
The #HALTsolitary Campaign has been pushing the #HALTsolitary bill to end solitary confinement in New York State prisons and jails for many years.
At this moment we are closer than ever before. A majority of legislators in both the Senate and the Assembly are co-sponsors of the bill but leadership has not yet brought the bill to the floor for a vote. Advocates have shared their very personal experiences with solitary with legislators and staff people for many years, we have educated and organized their constituents across New York State, we have rallied, we have won the official support more than 110 legislators, and yet our political leaders have still not passed the bill!
CALL LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, YOUR SENATOR!
Please take 30 seconds TODAY to make 3 calls:
Call Senate Majority Leader Stewart- Cousins at 518-455-2585 / 914-423-4031) and tell her:
“Thousands of New Yorkers are suffering in solitary confinement, for months, years, and decades. The HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500) has 34 Senate cosponsors and others committed to vote for it. I respectfully urge you to bring HALT to a vote now (as is, without watering down its protections), so we can finally end this torture.
CALL Assembly Speaker Heastie: (518) 455-3791 and tell him:
“Thousands of New Yorkers are suffering in solitary confinement, for months, years, and decades. Thank you for your leadership in supporting the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (A2500/S1623). We appreciate that the Assembly passed HALT last year and that you continue to support the bill. I respectfully urge you to bring HALT to a vote now (as is, without watering down its protections), so we can finally end this torture. There is no time to lose!
CALL Your Own Senator: find at www.openstates.org and tell them:
“Thousands of New Yorkers are suffering in solitary confinement, for months, years, and decades. Thank you for your support of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S1623/A2500). What are you doing now to end this torture? Will you tell the Senate leadership that HALT is a priority and that you want the bill to be brought to a vote now (as is, without watering down its protections)? HALT has 34 Senate cosponsors and others committed to vote for it. There is no time to lose. Do not let another mind or life be taken by this torture. Thank you.”
STOP THE SUFFERING: THANK YOU!