We have an opportunity to pass two crucial parole justice bills this year in the New York state legislature: Elder Parole (S.2423/ A.2035) and Fair & Timely Parole (S.307/ A.162). Passing these bills will get us closer to ending mass incarceration and move us towards Black liberation by uprooting NY state’s culture of permanent punishment and replacing it with systems of healing, accountability and care.
Make a call to the New York State Legislature now demanding that they pass a package of comprehensive parole reforms that promote justice and support our communities.
Here’s how to take action:
→ Have your phone near you. Complete this form and you'll get a call that will connect you directly to New York State legislators. In order, you'll be connected to your Assemblymember, your State Senator, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly Speaker.
→ When you're ready to be moved to the next call, please press * (STAR).
→ If you're calling your Assemblymember and/or State Senator, use the following script:
Hi, My name is [FIRST NAME] and I am a constituent and member of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action in New York. I’m calling to urge Assemblymember/Senator ____ to co-sponsor the Elder Parole (S.2423/ A.2035) and Fair & Timely Parole (S.307/ A.162) bills and to pass them before the session ends.
These two critical bills will ensure that people in prison have opportunities for case-by-case consideration for release based on who they are today and what they've done to change and expand parole eligibility for older New Yorkers who pose no harm to our communities.
I am advocating for these initiatives because they are necessary to end death-by-incarceration, reunite families, and address the injustice of mass incarceration.
Will [Assemblymember/Senator] cosponsor Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole?
OR
Please call me back tomorrow at [your phone number] to let me know if [Assemblymember/Senator] will cosponsor Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole. Thank you!
→ If you’re calling Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and/or Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, please use this script:
Hi, My name is [FIRST NAME] and I am a member of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action in New York. I’m calling to urge Majority Leader Stewart Cousins/Speaker Heastie to support 2 parole justice bills by committing to call them for a vote this session: Elder Parole (S.2423/ A.2035) and Fair & Timely Parole (S.307/ A.162).
These two critical bills will ensure that people in prison have opportunities for case-by-case consideration for release based on who they are today and what they've done to change and expand parole eligibility for older New Yorkers who pose no harm to our communities.
I am advocating for these initiatives because they are necessary to end death-by-incarceration, reunite families, and address the injustice of mass incarceration.
Will [Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins / Speaker Carl Heastie] commit to calling these two bills for a vote this session?
OR
Please call me back tomorrow at [your phone number] to let me know if [Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins / Speaker Carl Heastie] will commit to calling these two bills for a vote this session.