New York State Takes Important Step in Protecting People in State Custody With Prison Reform Omnibus Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@vera.org
NEW YORK – In response to Governor Kathy Hochul's signing of the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill, Alana Sivin, director of the Greater Justice New York initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, issued the following statement:
“The Vera Institute of Justice thanks Governor Hochul for signing the Prison Reform Omnibus Bill today. The killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi exposed longstanding failures in New York’s prison system, underscoring the need for stronger oversight, transparency, and accountability. Today’s reforms are an important step toward protecting people in state custody and ensuring their families and communities receive answers when harm occurs. New York must build on this legislation with sustained commitment to deeper systemic change to prevent future tragedies and ground our corrections system in safety, humanity, and justice.” — Alana Sivin, Director, Greater Justice New York, Vera Institute of Justice