Current Events

New York City has pledged to dramatically increase the usage of solitary confinement on Riker's Island, in a response to several acts of violence perpetrated by inmates towards corrections officers. The Prisoners' Rights Project of the Legal Aid Society is organizing an event to be held tomorrow on punitive segregation and other issues in New York City's jails.

The Political Action Committee is hosting The National Action Network Death Penalty Forum on Saturday, December 3rd at 1 pm at 106 W. 145th St. The event is entitled "We are all still Troy Davis!"

Troy Davis was executed in Georgia on September 21st, 2011, despite overwhelming support from the public to stay his execution, including noteworthy figures such as former President Jimmy Carter. The stay was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court. Please stay tuned for a future post on Mr. Davis.

Additionally, for anyone interested, the grassroots organization Thousand Kites is organizing the 12th annual Calls from Home project. They are currently accepting holiday voice messages from the public to be read on the radio on a special program to be released December 5th. As stated on their website:

"Thousand Kites and this radio station invites you to participate in a special holiday radio program for prisoners -- Calls from Home.

Send a message of hope and encouragement to those behind bars in our nation’s prisons. Read a short poem, sing a song or send a blessing. Speak from your heart to the over 2 million people behind bars this holiday season.

Your messages will be broadcast on radio stations around the country sending radio waves of hope through prison walls.

Call in your message toll free number at (877) 410-4863, that's (877) 410-4863 or check out – callsfromhome.org for more information.