Thread by @johnlegend

Over the past week the horrific conditions on Rikers Island have been exposed, but we need to understand the full context of what is happening and why. A thread:
nytimes.com/2021/09/15/opi…

On Monday lawmakers toured Rikers and observed people without food, medicine, beds. Living in filth. Attempting suicide.

This isn’t because of a “shortage” of corrections officers, but because some NY officials are backtracking on the progress that has been made. The problem is fearmongering.

I’ve worked with advocates in New York to transform the criminal justice system for years, supporting several campaigns to#CloseRikers, pass bail reform, and end solitary confinement. Yet after each win, we are confronted by rollbacks.

Some NY police, prosecutors, judges, and lawmakers are threatened by progress. They prefer the status quo. Combined with court delays, the numbers in Rikers have been rising because of judges undermining reforms. It doesn’t have to be this way.

The good news is that the NYGov signed the Less is More Act on Friday. But to prevent more deaths on Rikers, @NYCMayor and other elected leaders need to stand up to the forces who seek to drag us backward & tell the public what is still true.

Loading up our jails doesn’t make us safe. And no one should die because they are too poor to buy their freedom.

We will continue to push forward. Follow @FreedomAgendaNY to learn more.