PSA. For all those now outraged by the brutal, tortuous, inhumane, & deadly conditions on Rikers, know this: These conditions are consistent in local jails throughout the country. And in these jails, we cage 500k pretrial each year. That's more than total incarceration in India.
In Miami, Anthony Swain-a wheelchair bound paraplegic man who contracted COVID- and dozens of others sued about the horrific conditions in Miami West Detention Complex. Denials of needed treatment, crammed with symptomatic people, disgusting food.
In PG county, MD jail, anyone positive for COVID put into filthy cells where the walls are covered in feces, mucus, & blood. Uninfected placed on 23 hr lockdown. Federal judge dismissed their sworn declarations as “unhelpful” & not relevant.”
Texas: “Mom, please call them,” Jane wrote in a letter. I haven’t felt the baby all day.”

A young pregnant woman was caged for months pretrial. Thrown in solitary. No calls. Deprived food. Had to order cough drops to numb her hunger. She lost the baby. theappeal.org/pregnant-women…
In Chicago: “The living conditions were deplorable. My husband and 50 other gentlemen shared a common space. So there was really nowhere for him to social distance. So we had to do the best with what we could. Cassandra called 132 time’s. Ignored. He died.
Charles Hobbs was suffocating in a cell of men infected w/ COVID in a Miami jail. Those men tried saving his life. Guards ignored them. He died. Those men bravely spoke out. “I went to sleep w/ tears in my eyes. Grabbing my bible.” These are their voice:

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More from @ScottHech

16 Sep
🔥 FROM NYT EDITORIAL BOARD: Calls it like it is. Connects today's Rikers horrors to last year's repeal of bail reform. Based on a"relentless scaremongering campaign by the police, prosecutors & some lawmakers who exploited a few high-profile crimes." More:nytimes.com/2021/09/15/opi…
"Mr. de Blasio likes to point out that citys jail population is roughly half the size it was when he took office. Still much too big: close to 6000. This number could be significantly lower if Mr. de Blasio & other politicians hadnt gotten cold feet about NY’s bail reform law."
NYT Editorial Board rightfully slams Mayor de Blasio's "plan." More corrections officers sent from the courts. And "calling on judges to release as many as 250 people serving less than a year for nonviolent crimes — *even though he has the power to release them himself.*" Phew.
Read 7 tweets
11 Sep
🚨BREAKING: The Chief Medical Officer of Rikers sounds alarm.: "We've witnessed a collapse in basic jail operations. I don t believe the City is capable of safely managing the custody of those it is charged w/ incarcerating nor maintaining safety of those who work there." Thread:
"As a physician who has devoted a decade of my career to Rikers Island, & as the Chief Medical Officer for the NYC jail system, I am asking for your urgent assistance with an emergency situation that I do not believe the City of New York is able to remedy on its own."
!!! "Specifically, I ask that you *urge the city to ask for outside help* to immediately stabilize a situation that has resulted in death and threatens the health and well-being of everyone who works and resides in city jails."
Read 19 tweets
8 Sep
THREAD: As CA recall elections abound, youve probably heard & believe crime has been "surging" & "justice reform" is to blame. Those are calculated lies. Pushed by police & interests whose power feels threatened for the first time. Here's the truth in CA: cjcj.org/news/13170?utm…
Lie: Reform is to blame.

Truth: "Criminal justice reforms are not driving increased crime. The types of crimes that increased aren not those directly affected by CA's recent reforms, & are unlikely to reflect lagging effects of law changes implemented four to 10 years earlier."
Lie: Reform is to blame.

Truth: Criminal justice reforms are not driving increased crime. Indeed, if you want to read anything from the stats, it's opposite: "The offenses whose rates fell (larceny/theft) or remained the same (burglary) are those directly targeted by reforms."
Read 10 tweets
8 Sep
LISTEN. People caged in Michigan solitary risked retaliation just to be heard. Sent letters. Asked artists, coders, & designers to interpret them. This week they'll be *featured at NYC's Lincoln Center & start 4 months at the Broad Modern Art Museum in Michigan.* More info ahead:
I've already shared here how 100 people caged in Michigan solitary confinement wrote letters to share their experiences. Artists interpreted them. Turned into this interactive digital archive of first-hand accounts. People paid attention. silenced.in
I've already shared here the powerful words and powerful artistry of this project for transparency and justice. Thread:
Read 10 tweets
5 Sep
Hey look at this Twitter profile for Texas Republican legislator, Brisco Cain. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade & deputized citizens to enforce the most restrictive abortion ban that he helped pass, he now describes himself as a “Baby murder bounty hunter.”
Brisco Cain was also the Texas legislator who tweeted a death threat at Beto O'Rourke after he pledged to fight for regulations to stop people from buying automatic rifles. "My AR is ready for you," he wrote. texastribune.org/2019/09/12/tex…
Oh nice. Another GOP Texas representative, Steve Toth, endorses his colleague’s “awesome” message.
Read 5 tweets
4 Sep
Seeing news of a rare prosecution of a prosecutor. For “mishandling” the police murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Charges:“Showing favor & affection” to police. Not treating survivors “fairly & w/ dignity.” These are routine prosecutorial practices. Thread: nytimes.com/2021/09/02/us/…
Prosecutors are perceived as these great, caring protectors of survivors of crime. Often survivors will think of prosecutors as their own lawyer. Prosecutors gladly accept this perception. Yet in reality, they only care about survivors to the extent they’re cooperating.
As a public defender, time and time again I had conversations with prosecutors who’d tell me they couldn’t possibly offer less than prison “bc of the wishes of the complaining witness.” But anytime a survivor reached out to me, asking for leniency, prosecutors would ignore them.
Read 10 tweets

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