March 18, 2021

CONTACT: Daniel Ball, dball@bds.org

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

BROOKLYN DEFENDER SERVICES CALLS ON GOVERNOR TO SIGN HALT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ACT INTO LAW

Defenders Laud Passage of Legislation to Limit Use of Solitary Confinement in New York Prisons and Jails

(Brooklyn, NY) – Kelsey De Avila, Jail Services Project Director at Brooklyn Defender Services released the following statement calling for the enactment of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act (S. 2836/A.2277A) following the passage of the legislation in the New York State Senate earlier today and in the New York State Assembly on March 16th:

“For nearly a decade, survivors of solitary confinement and families who have lost their loved ones to solitary, joined by public defenders, social workers, mental health professionals, faith leaders, LGBTQIA+ leaders, and human rights and health advocates, have led a campaign calling for an end to the state-sponsored torture of solitary confinement in New York. This victory is a testament to their organizing, resolve, and dedication.

Today, the New York State Senate joined the Assembly in taking historic action to limit the use of solitary confinement in New York State’s prisons and jails, taking our state one step closer to addressing this ongoing human rights crisis and replacing solitary confinement with humane and effective alternatives. We thank Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry for championing this legislation, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie for their leadership in advancing the bill, and we demand the Governor sign HALT into law immediately.”

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is a public defender organization serving tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents each year since 1996. Our mission is to provide high-quality and client-centered criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal representation, as well as social work support and advocacy for people who cannot afford an attorney.

###