NRCAT Press Releases

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.

For Immediate Release: December 1, 2015

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

Foundry United Methodist Church Hosts Solitary Confinement Cell Installation
Local Leaders, Congregants Asked to Reflect On Those Suffering in Solitary Confinement

WASHINGTON – This Sunday, Foundry United Methodist Church on 16th Street in Washington, D.C., will host a full-size replica of a solitary confinement cell or Special Housing Unit (SHU). Parishioners will be invited to walk through, sit in and contemplate the installation after this week's Sunday services. The replica will be open to the public December 6-10, 2015. Due to its central location in downtown Washington, a number of local and national leaders in the criminal justice system have been invited to come to the replica as well.

This installation, sponsored in part by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, is part of a broader effort to mobilize the faith community to advocate for an end to the practice of solitary confinement, considered torture by the United Nations. The cell replica was originally built in Madison, Wisconsin, before being reconstructed here by NRCAT last spring. Since then it has traveled nationwide to engage with a broad range of religious communities including: The Islamic Circle of North America in Baltimore, The Pennsylvania Council of Churches in Harrisburg, the United Church of Christ General Synod in Cleveland, The National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, and St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church here in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 25, 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

People of Faith Declare VICTORY in Effort to Pass Ban on CIA Torture

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, President Obama signed into law the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA included a provision authored by Senator McCain and Senator Feinstein that makes permanent the ban on CIA torture.

Rev. Ron Stief, Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, released this statement:

"This is a huge victory for people of faith who worked and prayed for an end to torture. We can give thanks today, having taken an important step in defending American values and beginning to restore our country's role as a moral leader in the world.

"The McCain-Feinstein provision requires that the CIA use only ethical, legal interrogation techniques and ensures that the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to all detainees. These are common sense ideas and our leaders were right to write them into law."

Press release from Church World Service and Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign:

For Immediate Release: November 17, 2015
Contact: Megan Cagle, Church World Service, (602) 399-0723, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Faith and Refugee Resettlement Communities Discuss Refugee Crisis, U.S. Response
As the world seeks solutions to the Syrian refugee crisis, faith and refugee resettlement communities urge unity and compassion in the face of anti-refugee, anti-Muslim sentiment

WASHINGTON - Following the senseless attacks in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad, leaders from the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities stand together to condemn the violent attacks by extremist groups and the anti-refugee and anti-Muslim reaction from political leaders in the United States.

WHERE: The National Press Club, Bloomberg Room; 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20045

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2015; 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 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 Applauds Congressional Action to Ban CIA Torture Forever

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, the Senate voted to pass the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – a bill that includes a provision by Senator McCain and Senator Feinstein that would permanently prohibit the CIA from engaging in torture. Having passed the House last week, it is now expected to become law.

Rev. Ron Stief, Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, released this statement praising Congress for this morally significant action:

"The CIA torture program was a tragic mistake. Not only was it harmful to our security, but, more importantly, it cast doubt on our country's role as a moral leader in the world. Leaders from the many different American faith communities agree – torture is always wrong.

"By voting to pass the NDAA, a bipartisan majority of Congress voted to put a permanent end to CIA torture. The McCain-Feinstein provision requires that the CIA use only ethical, legal interrogation techniques and ensures that the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to all detainees. This is consistent with American values and with the basic requirement to treat people humanely that is common to all faiths.