Current Events
06/26/2021- The Freedom Unshackled Coalition invites you to join us, the Albany Social Justice Center, Center for Law & Justice, Community Matters, S.H.O.W., VOCAL-NY, faith leaders, and community members from throughout the Capital Region and New York State for a press conference and rally to demand that the Governor's office uses their executive powers to grant clemencies ( more in particular Time Commutations )4 times a year (4xY) to 50 Men and 50 Women each time, totaling to 400 clemencies per year. Typically, we only see a handful of clemencies granted during the week between Christmas and New Year's, but we know that justice cannot wait and we need to bring our loved ones home! #Clemency4xY
What: Clemency 4xY Press Conference & Rally
When: Saturday, June 26th @ 1PM - 3PM
Where: Governor's Mansion (138 Eagle Street Albany)
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need assistance with transportation getting to and from the event, please contact:
Roni Minter (518) 286-6345 info@freedomunshackled.org
We look forward to you joining us to demand justice together!
Use this link to access the Facebook event
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Use this link for the toolkit:
06/19/2020- Albany County Legislature Issues Proclamation in Support of Freedom Unshackled Clemency Initiative.
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09/23/2020- City of Albany Common Council unanimously passes Resolution in support of Freedom Unshackled Clemency Initiative
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04/2021- Freedom Unshackled Podcast Series highlighting sexual assault in Albion prison
05/05/2021- Allied with VOCAL NY to lobby on multiple criminal justice reform bills
05/06/2021- Official letter to Cuomo sent (to launch our Clemency initiative)
05/06/2021- Media Advisory announcement of
05/12 Virtual Press Conference
05/12/2021- 10:30- am Virtual Press Conference
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Proclamation to Albany State Legislature
Resolution calling Gov. Cuomo to review 1800 Applications for Clemency
Letter of support from Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Letter to Governor Cuomo 5/6/21
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Freedom Unshackled is a coalition of individuals and supporting organizations who came together in 2020 to address systemic issues in the criminal justice system. We urge you to right past wrongs by advancing your platform as a Criminal Justice Reform advocate. We are imploring you to commit to schedule Executive Clemency for Time Commutations to four times a year, granting it to 50 men and 50 women each time, for a total of 400 clemencies per year beginning in 2021. We believe that if you increase clemencies, it will also extend the goals of reducing the elderly prison and those seeking fair and timely parole. We are asking you to begin expediting the current clemency applications on your desk which, to our knowledge, is over 4000. We are aware that you completely control clemencies with no constriction in law to limit to keep you from broadening the scope and numbers of the population who have already submitted applications.
We would like to speak with someone directly from your office regarding this matter in the hope that we can move forward on this initiative. We are confident that following through with this will progress your record of criminal justice accomplishments. We are thanking you in advance for your commitment to this matter. We look forward to speaking with a representative from your office soon.
Support New York State Clemency Initiative: PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
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The late Honorable John Lewis said: "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something."
Freedom Unshackled would like your support in addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system in the United States of America. We are interested in working with community-based organizations from all fifty states, local and state legislators, and state governors around the nation to become enact more progressive policies and procedures that benefit incarcerated men and women. Our current focus is on encouraging governors to expand their Executive Clemency powers to increase the number of clemencies granted per year, addressing sexual assault of incarcerated men and women, and increasing gate fees.
Connections
The Justice Peace Talk Show
​The mission of The Justice Beat Talk Show is to inform, equip, and empower families, touched by incarceration, with guidance on how to advocate boldly and confidently on behalf of their loved one that is incarcerated.
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What makes the Justice Beat Talk Show unique is our focus on YOU and YOUR ability to ensure your loved one’s health and well-being are properly addressed during their incarceration.
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The Justice Beat Talk Show DOES NOT provide legal advice or legal services.
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Show topics focus on conditions of confinement matters such as:
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access to medical care and treatment;
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requesting medical records;
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accommodations for individuals with disabilities;
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sexual assaults;
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pregnant women and incarceration; and
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internal grievance processes and more...
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Get your questions ready. Grab a snack and drink and
let's talk smart about our Vision for Justice in 2020.
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To stay update to date on the launch of the Justice Beat Talk Show,
please check back to get the latest updates.
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