In New York, the health and safety of inmates, as well as workers in prisons, has been a major topic of conversation among policymakers. This is especially true for the most vulnerable populations in prison, such as the trans and gender-nonconforming community (TGNC)....
Accountability and transparency are important to preventing corruption in law enforcement. Until recently in New York, as well as in many other states, misconduct records in personnel files were not available to the public. However, state lawmakers repealed the law...
Starting in March 2022, New York state law will prohibit correctional facilities from isolating inmates for more than 15 days. The bill, signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on April 1, 2021, comes after years of activism aimed at ending solitary confinement in the state....
If a judge has ordered your husband or wife to serve a prison sentence, you must adjust to a new way of life. You should not, however, have to worry about your loved one’s personal safety or overall health. This is true even if your spouse has a chronic medical...
Having a loved one die in prison is a heart-wrenching experience. The harsh realities and administrative hurdles of the prison system only compound ordinary feelings of grief. In some cases, family members attempt to learn the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s...
If you face or are currently serving a prison sentence and have a disability, you have federally protected rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act. If you experience discrimination because of your disability, you can seek legal recourse. Review the disability...
When you have a loved one in prison, you may find yourself worrying about him or her and the treatment your loved one receives behind bars. The number of prisoners making allegations about sexual assault, harassment and other forms of abuse has risen sharply in recent...
For a person arrested and charged with a suspected crime or multiple crimes, the fear of being put in a jail or prison is real. This may happen regardless of whether or not the defendant is convicted as many people must spend time in jail or prison while they await...
Individuals in New York and states across the nation are focused on their rights now more than ever. This goes beyond the basic rights of every citizen but also the issues that plague vulnerable populations. Whether this is minorities, women or the disabled, being...
You might believe that prison guards are meant to maintain order, security and discipline. And while that is the case, guards must also recognize the safety and rights of those they oversee. But in some unfortunate circumstances, prisoners suffer at the hands of those...