#HALTsolitary Campaign
Representation at Disciplinary Hearing
Preventing SHU disposition - My client received 6 Tier III tickets after being assaulted by COs
Posted June 25, 2024
Background & Context
Mr. Torres received 6 tickets, including one for assault on staff.
Immediate Problem
Mr. Torres needs legal representation for his upcoming Tier III hearing.
Work & Deliverables
I am requesting legal representation for Luis Torres' Tier III pending disciplinary hearing. Mr. Torres (19A3082) was physically and sexually assaulted by DOCCS staff (COs and a sergeant.) The assault occurred as they were taking him to the clinic for his psychotropic medication (OMH level 2). That same morning Mr. Torres had filed a grievance regarding this. He filed a complaint with OSI.
#HALTsolitary Campaign
The #HALTsolitary Campaign has led efforts to end the torture of solitary confinement in New York since 2012. HALT is a broad-based campaign comprised of more than 400 organizational supporters, as well as other survivors of solitary, family members, and leaders in the human rights, advocacy, health, and faith communities. The campaign aims to end the torture of solitary for all people and create more humane and effective alternatives. We also aim to build on these changes – and their pursuit – to dismantle the racial injustices and punishment paradigm that underpin the entire incarceration system. In 2021, the New York State legislature passed the HALT Solitary Confinement Law. Among other changes, the HALT Law bans solitary beyond 15 consecutive days for all people, bans solitary entirely for certain categories of people, restricts the conduct that can result in solitary or alternatives, requires that people in alternatives to solitary generally have access to at least 7 hours of daily out of cell congregate programs and activities, and more. Also under the HALT law, for the first time ever people in New York prisons and jails are permitted to have representation at disciplinary hearings that could result in solitary confinement or other forms of restrictive housing. We are building a system for lawyers and paralegals to represent people in those disciplinary hearings to prevent people from being sent to solitary confiment or other restrictive housing.
#HALTsolitary Campaign
The #HALTsolitary Campaign has led efforts to end the torture of solitary confinement in New York since 2012. HALT is a broad-based campaign comprised of more than 400 organizational supporters, as well as other survivors of solitary, family members, and leaders in the human rights, advocacy, health, and faith communities. The campaign aims to end the torture of solitary for all people and create more humane and effective alternatives. We also aim to build on these changes – and their pursuit – to dismantle the racial injustices and punishment paradigm that underpin the entire incarceration system. In 2021, the New York State legislature passed the HALT Solitary Confinement Law. Among other changes, the HALT Law bans solitary beyond 15 consecutive days for all people, bans solitary entirely for certain categories of people, restricts the conduct that can result in solitary or alternatives, requires that people in alternatives to solitary generally have access to at least 7 hours of daily out of cell congregate programs and activities, and more. Also under the HALT law, for the first time ever people in New York prisons and jails are permitted to have representation at disciplinary hearings that could result in solitary confinement or other forms of restrictive housing. We are building a system for lawyers and paralegals to represent people in those disciplinary hearings to prevent people from being sent to solitary confiment or other restrictive housing.