NRCAT Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2016

CONTACT: Jaime Perrington, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 917-654-9380

ARTISTS ANNOUNCE THE "MUSEUM OF DRUG POLICY" ON PARK AVENUE DURING THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ON THE WORLD DRUG PROBLEM
THE POP­UP CULTURAL HUB WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 19, 20, 21

New York, N.Y. - The Museum of Drug Policy is a pop­up cultural hub that includes an immersive art experience and special live programming looking at the impact of current drug policies on populations around the world. The Museum will occupy space on Park Avenue for three days this month, during the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem.

Through art, conversations and experiential events, the Museum will showcase that the moment is now for drug policy reform and that damage caused by the war on drugs is evident across the world. The Museum will uplift the voices of people most impacted by the global drug policy: people who use drugs, crop growers, people who are incarcerated, people who have saved lives or lost loved ones to drug overdose, people on death row for drug offenses, doctors who can't prescribe adequate pain relief to their patients, and other voices of the international drug policy reform movement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2016

CONTACT: Laura Dixon, Chief Probation Officers of California, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 510.384.3020; Zaineb Mohammed, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 510.285.8236

Probation Chiefs and Youth Advocates Partner on Legislation to Address Room Confinement in Juvenile Facilities

Sacramento, CA – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) and youth advocates announced today that they have joined forces to co-sponsor landmark legislation limiting the use of room confinement for youth in California's juvenile facilities.

As amended this week, Senate Bill 1143 represents a critical breakthrough and unique partnership between CPOC and juvenile justice advocates who have agreed on a way to create safer facilities for youth and facility staff throughout the state. Previous bills intended to limit the use of room confinement did not have the support of CPOC and failed to pass both houses of the California Legislature. SB 1143 is authored by Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

"This bill protects the basic human rights and dignity of youth residing in local jails and juvenile camps," said Senator Leno. "It also protects public safety by ensuring that youth get the educational and rehabilitative opportunities they need to come home with the best chance of success in life."

This year, President Obama banned the long-term isolation of youth in federal detention facilities. With SB 1143, California is poised to follow his example. California has the opportunity to proactively establish model standards to limit the use of room confinement and lead the way for other states throughout the country to prioritize the health, safety, and rehabilitation of youth in detention.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2016

CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (o) 202-766-7700, (c) 202-765-4290

Local Faith Leaders Testify in Support of New Jersey Bill Limiting Solitary Confinement

Trenton, NJ – Local faith leaders and representatives of The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) will be in full force at the State Capitol in Trenton, New Jersey on Thursday, March 10 in support of significant reform and reduction of solitary confinement in New Jersey prisons and jails. Several local clergymembers will testify in support of the passage of the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act (S.51), a powerful new bill that limits the practice statewide.

Members of the media are invited to attend the hearing. NRCAT representatives and affiliated clergy members will be available for interview.

Who:Rev. Charles Boyer of the Bethel African Methoidst Episcopal Church in Woodbury, NJ; NRCAT board member Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, and Rabbi David Levy

What: Hearing on S.51: the Isolated Confiment Restriction Act, which would place significant limits on the use of solitary confiment in New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2016

CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (o) 202-766-7700, (c) 202-765-4290

National Religious Campaign Against Torture Sponsors Event to End Prolonged Solitary Confinement in New York State

Brooklyn, NY - The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is sponsoring an event on March 18, 2016 to educate the public about solitary confinement in New York prisons and jails, and to advocate for passage of the Humane Alternatives to Long Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act (A4401/S2659), legislation which would implement humane alternatives to long-term solitary confinement in New York State. In place of isolation, the bill proposes therapeutic interventions to address the root cause of behavior and end cycles of violence. This presentation and panel discussion, featuring subject matter experts and formerly incarcerated individuals, is free and open to the public.

Momentum to confront the practice of solitary confinement in New York State, in states from coast to coast and at the federal level has been steadily growing for the last several years. With the recent growth in media coverage and the historic reforms won in court by the New York Civil Liberties Union in 2015, a grass-roots coalition of local organizations has formed in recent years to build on and continue this forward trajectory.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2016

CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (o) 202-766-7700, (c) 202-765-4290

Faith Leaders Applaud President's Plan to Close Guantanamo
Remind Him that Indefinite Detention is Immoral

WASHINGTON – Today President Obama released a plan for closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Leaders of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture released the following statements:

Rev. Ron Stief, Executive Director: "Keeping Guantanamo open this long has never been a good idea, from either a national security or a moral perspective. The President's goal of transferring or trying almost all of the detainees can only improve our moral standing in the world.

However, an important flaw in the President's plan is that it is immoral and contrary to American values for the U.S. to hold anyone without the reasonable prospect of a trial."

For Immediate Release: February 19, 2016

Contact: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (o) 202-776-7700, (c)202-765-4290

National Religious Campaign Against Torture Celebrates the Release of Albert Woodfox After More Than 43 Years in Solitary Confinement

WASHINGTON – Today, Albert Woodfox was released from prison in Louisiana after spending more than 43 years in solitary confinement. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture along with countless national and international human rights organizations had called for Mr. Woodfox's release for many years, today Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of NRCAT released the following statement:

"The National Religious Campaign Against Torture celebrates that after more than 43 years in solitary confinement, Mr. Albert Woodfox will finally be released from prison. Many U.S. faith leaders have stood with the international community pushing for decades for his release and an end to the immoral torture of his prolonged isolation.

"Tragically most do not leave solitary confinement with this level of support or attention. As we witness this remarkable development, we remember that each year in the United States, thousands of people are released directly from prolonged solitary confinement to our communities with no means of grappling with the psychological, social and physical trauma this immoral treatment has caused.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2016

CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (o) 202-776-7700, (c) 202-765-4290

WASHINGTON – Today, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture applauded the release of the Department of Justice Report and Recommendations Concerning the Use of Restrictive Housing, which offers historic and comprehensive guidelines on the use of solitary confinement in United States prisons. Describing solitary as "an affront to our common humanity," in a Washington Post op-ed, President Obama announced swift adoption of the more than fifty "Guiding Principles" contained within the report, which set new standards in federal prisons and provide guidelines for reform in all prisons and jails throughout the country. New federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policies include a ban on placing youth in solitary confinement, a ban on using restrictive housing to punish low level offenses, and diversion programs for LGBT incarcerated people in protective custody and for individuals with serious mental illness. And, most importantly, the BOP will be required for the first time to post monthly data regarding its use of restricted housing system-wide, providing critical information to guide future reforms.

In response to this historic development, Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture said:

"We celebrate this moment of significant progress in our efforts to end the torture of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and jails. We grieve with the families of those like Kalief Browder, whose lives have been lost as a result of this travesty that has touched more than 100,000 held in conditions of isolation on any given day. As communities of faith, we recognize that the historic recommendations made by this Administration are in the best interest of the wellness of corrections staff, those who are incarcerated, and the communities to which they will one day return. Indeed we stand with President Obama and Pope Francis in affirming the 'inalienable dignity' of every human being which should be honored without exception.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 7, 2016
CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (o) 202-766-7700, (c) 202-765-4290

National Faith Leader calls on President Obama to Live up to His Promise to Close Guantanamo Bay Prison

WASHINGTON – When President Obama gives this year's State of The Union Address, he will be speaking only one day after the 14th anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Guantanamo is an internationally recognized symbol of a time when our nation's leaders betrayed our values and tortured people, and a prison where most continue to be detained without charge or trial. President Obama promised to close the prison at Guantanamo almost seven years ago.

Today, Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture called upon President Obama to live up to his promise, saying:

"Torture and imprisonment without trial are immoral and contrary to American values. Last year, Congress and the President took action to permanently end torture by passing bi-partisan legislation that prevents the U.S. from ever again using torture to interrogate people. Unfortunately, when it comes to holding people in detention without trial at Guantanamo Bay, our political and military leaders have been absent without leave.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 18, 2015
CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team, Office: (202) 776-7700; cell: (202) 765-4290; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

National Religious Campaign Against Torture Applauds New York Solitary Confinement Settlement, Urges Lawmakers To Go Further
Faith communities call for an end to the torture of long term solitary confinement

WASHINGTON – This week, the New York Civil Liberties Union and New York State announced a significant settlement in Peoples vs. Fischer, a settlement which will lead to significant reduction in and changes to the use of solitary confinement in New York prisons. Today, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture honored the courage of the plaintiffs in this case and applauded Governor Cuomo and the New York Department of Corrections for this important step forward. While communities of faith celebrate the advances promised in this settlement, NRCAT also reaffirmed its commitment today to passing the Humane Alternatives to Long-term Solitary Confinement Act (A. 4401/S.2659), legislation that will end the torture of prolonged isolation in New York State.

Following the announcement of this settlement, Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of NRCAT released this statement:

"The settlement in Peoples vs. Fischer provides much-needed changes to begin to rectify the unjust solitary confinement practices in New York State. Long-term solitary confinement – condemned as torture by the Pope and the United Nations alike – does profound harm to those who are incarcerated, their loved ones, and to corrections staff working in such toxic environments. As people of faith we cannot abide the callous disregard for the humanity of so many in our prisons and jails. This settlement is an important recognition of our nation's moral duty to move from a punishment system to one that prioritizes restoration, rehabilitation and recovery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 10, 2015
CONTACT: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team, Office: (202) 776-7700; cell: (202) 765-4290; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

National Religious Campaign Against Torture Releases New Film
"Out of the Shadows: Casting Light on CIA Torture"
Film to be used to mobilize faith communities to stand against torture

WASHINGTON – A new film, released today by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, documents the story of how people of faith from across the country mobilized to convince political leaders - both Republican and Democrat - to pass legislation ensuring that the CIA never uses torture again. "Out of the Shadows: Casting Light on CIA Torture" not only provides people of faith with a vivid and disturbing picture of CIA torture, but also presents a compelling story about the pathway out of this horrific chapter. The film is available at www.nrcat.org/shadows.

Rev. Ron Stief, executive director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, said about the film:

"The period in which the CIA tortured detainees was tragic for our country. Torture violated our deepest morals and failed to make our country safer. The film describes the CIA's use of torture as well as the eventual rejection of torture by people from a wide swath of America's different communities. Watching it will not only provide viewers with information about torture, but also enable them to join the growing community of folks who are working to end torture.