DOCCS is continuing to illegally subject people to prolonged solitary confinement.
Solitary confinement is torture, and it is disproportionately wielded against Black and Brown people. We are asking the court to take action and force DOCCS to follow the law.
Solitary confinement is torture, and it is disproportionately wielded against Black and Brown people. We are asking the court to take action and force DOCCS to follow the law.
August 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
DOCCS is continuing to illegally subject people to prolonged solitary confinement.
Solitary confinement is torture, and it is disproportionately wielded against Black and Brown people. We are asking the court to take action and force DOCCS to follow the law.
Solitary confinement is torture, and it is disproportionately wielded against Black and Brown people. We are asking the court to take action and force DOCCS to follow the law.
DOCCS prison system is on strike, canceling all visitation and communication with prisoners.
February 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
DOCCS prison system is on strike, canceling all visitation and communication with prisoners.
2/ For decades, NYS DOCCS kept their deep-rooted culture of violence and lack of accountability for misconduct hidden from the public.
Incarcerated New Yorkers and their loved ones deserve real accountability.
Incarcerated New Yorkers and their loved ones deserve real accountability.
DOCCS Officer Misconduct Database
www.nyclu.org
September 18, 2026 at 7:07 PM
2/ For decades, NYS DOCCS kept their deep-rooted culture of violence and lack of accountability for misconduct hidden from the public.
Incarcerated New Yorkers and their loved ones deserve real accountability.
Incarcerated New Yorkers and their loved ones deserve real accountability.
Been working on this story for the past six months.
Incarcerated NYers told me DOCCS failed to provide accommodations even after staff acknowledged they were reasonable and necessary.
Legal experts said that DOCCS’ failure to provide reasonable accommodations is likely a violation of federal law.
Incarcerated NYers told me DOCCS failed to provide accommodations even after staff acknowledged they were reasonable and necessary.
Legal experts said that DOCCS’ failure to provide reasonable accommodations is likely a violation of federal law.
“They put me through hell. Life was a battle & hard for me to get around on my own.”
The New York prison system routinely fails to meet its federal obligation to provide disability accommodations that its own staff approves, reports @curtisbrodner.bsky.social in a new investigation.
The New York prison system routinely fails to meet its federal obligation to provide disability accommodations that its own staff approves, reports @curtisbrodner.bsky.social in a new investigation.
Disabled people in New York prisons aren’t receiving accommodations they’re entitled to
The New York prison system routinely fails to meet its federal obligation to provide disability accommodations that its own staff approves
prismreports.org
September 16, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Been working on this story for the past six months.
Incarcerated NYers told me DOCCS failed to provide accommodations even after staff acknowledged they were reasonable and necessary.
Legal experts said that DOCCS’ failure to provide reasonable accommodations is likely a violation of federal law.
Incarcerated NYers told me DOCCS failed to provide accommodations even after staff acknowledged they were reasonable and necessary.
Legal experts said that DOCCS’ failure to provide reasonable accommodations is likely a violation of federal law.
"If DOCCS claims it can’t carry out basic prison operations... and if despite a year and a half of “aggressive recruitment” the number of staff members is not increasing, the clear solution is to reduce the number of people who are incarcerated."
Client Challenge
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www.timesunion.com
September 24, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"If DOCCS claims it can’t carry out basic prison operations... and if despite a year and a half of “aggressive recruitment” the number of staff members is not increasing, the clear solution is to reduce the number of people who are incarcerated."
For years, people have been raising the alarm about the culture of violence and impunity within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
Now, thanks to a landmark settlement, we're making public 20 years of DOCCS misconduct records public for the first time:
Now, thanks to a landmark settlement, we're making public 20 years of DOCCS misconduct records public for the first time:
DOCCS Officer Misconduct Database
www.nyclu.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
For years, people have been raising the alarm about the culture of violence and impunity within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
Now, thanks to a landmark settlement, we're making public 20 years of DOCCS misconduct records public for the first time:
Now, thanks to a landmark settlement, we're making public 20 years of DOCCS misconduct records public for the first time:
BREAKING: We're suing DOCCS for restricting incarcerated people’s First Amendment rights to access courts and communicate with legal counsel during the strike by correction officers.
DOCCS must fully restore people’s access to the courts and counsel immediately.
DOCCS must fully restore people’s access to the courts and counsel immediately.
March 5, 2025 at 12:57 AM
BREAKING: We're suing DOCCS for restricting incarcerated people’s First Amendment rights to access courts and communicate with legal counsel during the strike by correction officers.
DOCCS must fully restore people’s access to the courts and counsel immediately.
DOCCS must fully restore people’s access to the courts and counsel immediately.
The NY prison system has kindly illustrated our headline's point for us: Here's the "we censored your article about prison censorship" notification from JPay after I tried to send this
@hellgatenyc.com story to a source hellgatenyc.com/new-york-pri...
@hellgatenyc.com story to a source hellgatenyc.com/new-york-pri...
March 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The NY prison system has kindly illustrated our headline's point for us: Here's the "we censored your article about prison censorship" notification from JPay after I tried to send this
@hellgatenyc.com story to a source hellgatenyc.com/new-york-pri...
@hellgatenyc.com story to a source hellgatenyc.com/new-york-pri...
DOCCS is under the executive branch of NYS govt, so i’m not sure if/how much mandani could do about them. but he *should* be doing the absolute max possible because DOCCS is a fucking nightmare that hurts NYCers (i currently work in parole revocation defense in nyc & they treat ppl like animals)
June 13, 2026 at 3:27 PM
DOCCS is under the executive branch of NYS govt, so i’m not sure if/how much mandani could do about them. but he *should* be doing the absolute max possible because DOCCS is a fucking nightmare that hurts NYCers (i currently work in parole revocation defense in nyc & they treat ppl like animals)
BREAKING: For years, directly impacted people, advocates and experts have raised the alarm on the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) culture of violence.
With @nytimes.com, we just made public two decades of DOCCS officer misconduct + disciplinary records:
With @nytimes.com, we just made public two decades of DOCCS officer misconduct + disciplinary records:
Restrained, Beaten, Asphyxiated: New York Prison Guards’ Brutality Grows
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
BREAKING: For years, directly impacted people, advocates and experts have raised the alarm on the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) culture of violence.
With @nytimes.com, we just made public two decades of DOCCS officer misconduct + disciplinary records:
With @nytimes.com, we just made public two decades of DOCCS officer misconduct + disciplinary records:
“To be able to put aside our differences and just enjoy something together is really, really important," said Zielinski. "There's not that many opportunities to do it, especially in a place like this. When you have an opportunity like that, it's a shame to waste it.”
This is so sad? Damn.
This is so sad? Damn.
Incarcerated New Yorkers Want to See the Eclipse. The State Has Responded With a Lockdown - Hell Gate
During the eclipse on April 8, all of NY's prisons will be on lockdown, according to a memo from DOCCS head Daniel Martuscello, as part of the agency's
hellgatenyc.com
April 1, 2024 at 5:49 PM
“To be able to put aside our differences and just enjoy something together is really, really important," said Zielinski. "There's not that many opportunities to do it, especially in a place like this. When you have an opportunity like that, it's a shame to waste it.”
This is so sad? Damn.
This is so sad? Damn.
"DOCCS has no concrete timeline for ... compliance with HALT."
Dozens of NY prisons have cancelled weekend visitation, summer programming, and are keeping people in cells 20 hours a day – torturous conditions that prisons are blaming "understaffing" for.
Four Months After Guard Strike, Prison Staffing Crisis Persists
The prison agency's security ranks are 4,700 corrections officers and sergeants short of what it says it needs to run every program and housing area…
nysfocus.com
July 27, 2025 at 6:31 AM
"DOCCS has no concrete timeline for ... compliance with HALT."
This is an extremely disturbing development from DOCCS.
Solitary confinement is torture, and the suspension of the HALT Act will inflict profound, irreversible harm on incarcerated New Yorkers, who are disproportionally Black and Brown.
Solitary confinement is torture, and the suspension of the HALT Act will inflict profound, irreversible harm on incarcerated New Yorkers, who are disproportionally Black and Brown.
DOCCS temporarily suspends parts of HALT Act amid correction officer strikes
A large police response was called to Riverview Correctional Facility near Ogdensburg early this morning before officers regained control.
spectrumlocalnews.com
February 20, 2025 at 11:12 PM
This is an extremely disturbing development from DOCCS.
Solitary confinement is torture, and the suspension of the HALT Act will inflict profound, irreversible harm on incarcerated New Yorkers, who are disproportionally Black and Brown.
Solitary confinement is torture, and the suspension of the HALT Act will inflict profound, irreversible harm on incarcerated New Yorkers, who are disproportionally Black and Brown.
stupid mean country that sucks!!!!
Incarcerated New Yorkers Want to See the Eclipse. The State Has Responded With a Lockdown - Hell Gate
During the eclipse on April 8, all of NY's prisons will be on lockdown, according to a memo from DOCCS head Daniel Martuscello, as part of the agency's
hellgatenyc.com
March 28, 2024 at 8:01 PM
stupid mean country that sucks!!!!
The stuff going down right now w the striking New York prison guards sounds pretty scary. This is a good account by an incarcerated writer of what it means: defector.com/what-the-cor...
What The Corrections Officer Strike Means To Incarcerated People Like Me | Defector
On Feb. 17, an illegal wildcat strike was initiated by corrections officers with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). One of their primary demands is to repe...
defector.com
March 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The stuff going down right now w the striking New York prison guards sounds pretty scary. This is a good account by an incarcerated writer of what it means: defector.com/what-the-cor...
Like many New Yorkers, incarcerated people are eager to see the rare total eclipse on April 8.
Instead, DOCCS has ordered a total lockdown for all state prisons before, during, and after the eclipse.
Instead, DOCCS has ordered a total lockdown for all state prisons before, during, and after the eclipse.
Incarcerated New Yorkers Want to See the Eclipse. The State Has Responded With a Lockdown - Hell Gate
During the eclipse on April 8, all of NY's prisons will be on lockdown, according to a memo from DOCCS head Daniel Martuscello, as part of the agency's
hellgatenyc.com
March 28, 2024 at 3:37 PM
Like many New Yorkers, incarcerated people are eager to see the rare total eclipse on April 8.
Instead, DOCCS has ordered a total lockdown for all state prisons before, during, and after the eclipse.
Instead, DOCCS has ordered a total lockdown for all state prisons before, during, and after the eclipse.
The Legal Aid Society alleges that DOCCS declared an overbroad emergency to keep incarcerated people locked in their cells for upward of 20 hours a day. nysfocus.com/2025/08/20/d...
Advocates Float Contempt Ruling for New York Prison Agency
The Legal Aid Society alleges that DOCCS declared an overbroad emergency to keep incarcerated people locked in their cells for upward of 20 hours a day.
nysfocus.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The Legal Aid Society alleges that DOCCS declared an overbroad emergency to keep incarcerated people locked in their cells for upward of 20 hours a day. nysfocus.com/2025/08/20/d...
Prison guards go on strike in New York because they're not allowed to torture inmates the way they want any more.
defector.com/what-the-cor...
defector.com/what-the-cor...
What The Corrections Officer Strike Means To Incarcerated People Like Me | Defector
On Feb. 17, an illegal wildcat strike was initiated by corrections officers with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). One of their primary demands is to repe...
defector.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Prison guards go on strike in New York because they're not allowed to torture inmates the way they want any more.
defector.com/what-the-cor...
defector.com/what-the-cor...
The HALT Solitary Confinement Act is still the law of the land.
DOCCS is not above the law.
DOCCS is not above the law.
Advocacy groups say state prison agency can’t halt law limiting solitary confinement
The commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision released a memo last week announcing that certain provisions of the HALT Solitary Confinement law would be suspended.
www.cityandstateny.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The HALT Solitary Confinement Act is still the law of the land.
DOCCS is not above the law.
DOCCS is not above the law.
“The reality is that DOCCS leadership has tolerated officers’ violence against incarcerated people for too long, allowing officers to beat people in their custody and cover up these beatings without consequence…” www.thecity.nyc/2025/01/03/f...
Former Prisoners Say Deadly Robert Brooks Beating Is Sadly Routine
Those that have been in the state pen and their lawyers say “what is most unusual about the beatdown of Mr. Brooks is that it was captured on video.”
www.thecity.nyc
January 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“The reality is that DOCCS leadership has tolerated officers’ violence against incarcerated people for too long, allowing officers to beat people in their custody and cover up these beatings without consequence…” www.thecity.nyc/2025/01/03/f...
I am with you, man. NYC LAS 14 years…assigned work as a private atty. On central screening committee of NYC ACP. Too many incarcerated folks, ugly scenes at Rikers, NYS DOCCS and MDC, all pale compared to CECOT. My BP gets elevated by this shit. These “47” ghouls are truly evil, soulless sociopaths.
April 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I am with you, man. NYC LAS 14 years…assigned work as a private atty. On central screening committee of NYC ACP. Too many incarcerated folks, ugly scenes at Rikers, NYS DOCCS and MDC, all pale compared to CECOT. My BP gets elevated by this shit. These “47” ghouls are truly evil, soulless sociopaths.
The New York prison system is in crisis. Incarcerated people say there is rampant abuse, correctional officers say there's a staff shortage.
Criminal justice reporter @chrisgelardi.bsky.social went on Capital Tonight to talk about the dysfunction at DOCCS.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Criminal justice reporter @chrisgelardi.bsky.social went on Capital Tonight to talk about the dysfunction at DOCCS.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
NY Focus reporter on the systemic changes needed at DOCCS
Chris Gelardi joins Capital Tonight.
spectrumlocalnews.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The New York prison system is in crisis. Incarcerated people say there is rampant abuse, correctional officers say there's a staff shortage.
Criminal justice reporter @chrisgelardi.bsky.social went on Capital Tonight to talk about the dysfunction at DOCCS.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Criminal justice reporter @chrisgelardi.bsky.social went on Capital Tonight to talk about the dysfunction at DOCCS.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
What the corrections officer strike means to incarcerated people like me: defector.com/what-the-cor...
What The Corrections Officer Strike Means To Incarcerated People Like Me | Defector
On Feb. 17, an illegal wildcat strike was initiated by corrections officers with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). One of their primary demands is to repe...
defector.com
March 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
What the corrections officer strike means to incarcerated people like me: defector.com/what-the-cor...
DOCCS has released its proposed rollbacks to the HALT Act, NY's law restricting solitary confinement.
But DOCCS can't just defy a law it doesn’t like and has refused to implement. We'll continue to hold DOCCS accountable + ensure that long term solitary, an acutely violent practice, doesn't return.
But DOCCS can't just defy a law it doesn’t like and has refused to implement. We'll continue to hold DOCCS accountable + ensure that long term solitary, an acutely violent practice, doesn't return.
September 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
DOCCS has released its proposed rollbacks to the HALT Act, NY's law restricting solitary confinement.
But DOCCS can't just defy a law it doesn’t like and has refused to implement. We'll continue to hold DOCCS accountable + ensure that long term solitary, an acutely violent practice, doesn't return.
But DOCCS can't just defy a law it doesn’t like and has refused to implement. We'll continue to hold DOCCS accountable + ensure that long term solitary, an acutely violent practice, doesn't return.