Phone Zap! Stop Prisoner Abuse in New York

Jermaine Reynolds, a prisoner being held at the Upstate Correction Facility in Malone, NY, is currently suffering in solitary confinement with injuries to his kidneys, head and leg after being beaten up by his chow escort on Oct 7, 2017. His wife, who reported the situation, has already contacted the NY Inspector General, and is requesting help from IWOC to keep her husband safe, and demand accountability from those responsible for his appalling treatment. She says:

“[Jermaine’s] disposition is full of lies and inaccuracies [..] they charged him with assault to an officer but no correctional officer name is attached [..] He has had X-rays taken and his head has been hurting [..] his wounds just healed since Oct 7th [..] Other inmates witnessed his attack, and threats were made towards the other inmates. Those inmates were beaten for protecting him. It is hard to understand his “guilty” charge on his disposition. He was handcuffed with his hands behind him. So there is no way for him to have hit anyone with his hands.”

We are calling for a “comms zap” to the Upstate Correctional Facility, demanding that the prison administrators remove Jermaine from the Secure Housing Unit, and launch a full investigation into his assault and subsequent hearing:

Mail: Upstate Correctional Facility, 309 Bare Hill Road, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 483-6997 (Franklin County)

We are also requesting that folks file complaints with the Office of Special Investigations:

Call: 1-844-OSI-4NYS
Email: [email protected]
Online: Submit an online complaint
Mail: Using a standardized complaint form please mail the complaint to:

Office of Special Investigations – Intake Unit
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
The Harriman State Office Campus
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12226-2050

Feel free to use your own words, but one suggested script that you could use might be:

“Hello,

I am contacting you about the case of Jermaine Reynolds, #16A4692, who was recently assaulted by staff at Upstate Correctional Facility. I understand that other inmates witnessed his attack, and threats were made towards the other inmates. Those inmates were beaten for protecting him. At the time of the alleged assault, he was handcuffed with his hands behind him. So there is no way for him to have hit anyone with his hands. I demand that he be removed from the Secure Housing Unit, and that you launch a full investigation into his assault and subsequent hearing. Please be aware that DOCCS may be held legally responsible for any harm that comes to inmate Reynolds as a result of your failure to fulfil your duty of care towards him.

Thank you”