Thread by @ScottHech

Right now: @NYGovCuomo could order release of all those being held on technical (non-criminal) violations on Rikers Island. 666 of them last I checked. He should do so now to save lives. But they should never have been locked up to begin with. Some facts about parole violations:

In NY, if you violate any condition of parole, no matter how minor, you get remanded. Curfew. Failure to update your address. Positive test for marijuana. Spending time with someone with a criminal record. No possibility of release until a parole judge decides your fate.

Parole was initially designed as an alternative to incarceration. Parole officers were trained in social work. If you took a misstep, there wasn’t punishment. Services were stepped up. Now, parole officers are law enforcement. No funds for services. Only option: reincarceration.

People on parole already face near impossible challenges. A record excludes you from most housing, jobs, benefits. Then add on average 20 restrictions from curfew & onerous reporting demands to no events w/ alcohol. One slip could mean jail.

Due process barely exists. If parole officer says there was a violation you can be arrested. Once arrested, there is no right to release. No bail hearing. Jailed pending hearings that can take weeks/months to happen. No right to appointed counsel. Facing years. Sometimes life.

NY is the leader in incarceration for "technical parole violations" (curfew, missed appointment). NY reincarcerates more than 48 other states.

1/3 of all new admissions to NY prisons.
5x nat'l average.
12x more likely if you're Black.

In addition to 600+ locked up on Rikers for technicals:

**There are 4500 people currently sentenced in NY prisons solely for technicals*.**

Another 1100 or so in other jails throughout the state.

Cuomo could free 6000+ jailed/imprisoned for non-criminal conduct. Right now.

I'm going to repeat this. Right now, @NYGovCuomo has the power to release over 6000 people not charged with any crime. Currently trapped throughout NY jails and prisons. He could do this. Right now. Today. Any moment. Why is he choosing not to?

Last year, the NY legislature could have changed all this. 6000 less people caged. A bill introduced (& supported by DAs by the way) called "Less is More." Would

-Prohibit arrests/jail for most technical violations
-Give earned time credit for good behavior
-Require due process.

NY State lawmakers ultimately didn't pass Less is More. They had "justice fatigue" after passing modest bail reform. That fatigue now has 6000+ people facing death for nothing. No reason. For violating curfew. Taking a sip of alcohol. In many cases just wanting to live w/ family.

Now, instead of working to pass obvious legislation to keep people from being locked up for non-crimes, the @NYSenDems are caving to police & prosecutors & working with @NYGovCuomo *to repeal bail reform to jail more people.* Really. Right now. rollingstone.com/politics/polit…

Just imagine having the power. Now bully pulpit, complete with some deserved credibility. And *not* using it to save thousands of lives & in doing so, also take the opportunity to explain to your citizens why it's so important. To push back against any ridiculous "blow back."

6000 people. Caged. Committed no new crime. Forget "misdemeanors." "Non-violent felonies." And other gross distinctions we're making to decide who deserves to die. They literally committed no new crime. In New York. Right now. Facing a deadly outbreak. @NYGovCuomo, really?

I'm out for now. While you're here, please visit JusticeNotFear.org to learn more about NY bail reform that already has saved thousands from jail & now an outbreak in just the past 3 months, & demand that Cuomo & @NYSenDems don't repeal it. Goodnight.

Also: take action ->

Use the link below to email & tweet your elected officials and @NYGovCuomo — tell them it’s time to pass #LessIsMoreNY NOW and #EndtheCycle of incarceration for crimeless violations of parole.

People inside can’t wait, #FreeThemALL. p2a.co/VZhPpCy