New York County Defender Services

New York State must end the torture of solitary confinement in New York State. The practice causes severe psychological trauma and serves no rehabilitative purpose.

NYCDS Senior Trial Attorney Katherine De Zengotita testified about how youth with criminal legal system involvement are suffering during the pandemic when NYPD seize their phones, hindering their ability to attend virtual court, participate in remote learning and access services.

We support specific legislation to decarcerate jails and prisons, reduce law enforcement budgets and increase accountability, invest in Black and Latinx communities, treat immigrant communities with dignity, and protect young people who deserve compassion, not incarceration.

New York City public defenders will be pushing for a new slate of criminal justice reforms when state lawmakers meet in the new year.

The NYPD leading its own reform is like putting the fox in charge of cleaning the hen house.