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In June, New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed Rikers Island graduates who earned high-school-equivalence diplomas while incarcerated, encouraging them to embrace their achievements and look forward to future goals. This graduation highlighted the law's impact on educational access for incarcerated individuals in city jails. According to reports, many young inmates have reported ongoing denials of their right to education, contrary to a 2016 court order mandating educational services for those aged 18 to 21 under Department of Correction custody. "It's proven that when an individual attains their high school diploma or the equivalent in custody, their prospects for success improve on the outside," Prisoner's Rights Stefen Short said. "DOC is essentially letting folks sit idle rather than provide them with access to educational services to which they have a right. That renders everyone in the jail setting less safe. It's a strange state of affairs. It doesn't serve anyone's interests." Legal filings from a long-standing class-action lawsuit stress the city's non-compliance with this order and advocate for the appointment of a new court monitor to ensure its enforcement. Plaintiffs, young inmates lacking high school diplomas, claim they are denied education unless housed in specific facilities. According to Lauren Stephens-Davidowitz from the Legal Aid Society, this not only violates legal standards but also moral ones, as it obstructs the educational aspirations of these young people. The city's Department of Education and Department of Correction were initially accused in a 1996 lawsuit of failing to provide mandated educational services. The ongoing issue primarily affects individuals in non-program housing units, where access to education is restricted. A spokesperson highlighted additional funding aimed at enhancing educational programs, including GED preparation. However, challenges persist, particularly for those needing special education, with some losing significant educational progress during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. It's disheartening to see Rikers Island, despite Mayor Eric Adams's recent acknowledgment of educational achievements among incarcerated individuals, failing to uphold their right to education as mandated by court order. The ongoing denial of this fundamental right, especially to young inmates, not only undermines their prospects for success upon release but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality and injustice within our criminal justice system. Link: The Intercept

A bipartisan bill set to be introduced on Wednesday aims to enhance oversight of federal prisons, addressing multiple issues, including scandal and abuse. The Federal Prison Oversight Act would establish a hotline for inmates to report misconduct and mandate inspections and reporting by federal watchdogs and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. This follows a series of investigations led by Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, revealing corruption and abusive practices within the system, necessitating stronger oversight. "My bipartisan investigations of corruption, abuse, and misconduct in the Federal prison system revealed an urgent need to overhaul federal prison oversight," Ossoff said as his office prepared to introduce the bill on Wednesday. "I am bringing Republicans and Democrats together to crack down on corruption, strengthen public safety, and protect civil rights." The proposed legislation also involves the Justice Department's inspector general in assessing risks at the 122 federal prison facilities, ensuring that higher-risk facilities undergo more rigorous scrutiny. The bill enjoys support from both sides of the aisle, with Republican Senator Mike Braun and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin as cosponsors. Durbin emphasized the bill's aim to ensure safe, humane conditions in prisons and better prepare inmates for reintegration into society. In December, testimonies from former inmates highlighted the urgent need for this legislation. Notably, Briane Moore recounted sexual abuse by a prison officer, underscoring the power dynamics and lack of surveillance that facilitated such misconduct. The bill is supported by various stakeholders, including prison reform advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Families Against Mandatory Minimums, who recognize the ongoing crisis in the prison system. The National Council of Prison Locals also supports the bill, noting the necessity for more transparent and effective oversight of the Bureau of Prisons. This legislation represents a significant move towards addressing systemic issues in the federal prison system. Link: ABCNews

In Spruce Pine, N.C., a controversial police incident involving Dillon Ledford, who was arrested at a Walmart during a diabetic emergency, is under scrutiny. Surveillance footage reviewed by experts raises questions about the officers' conduct, especially since Ledford sought to manage his low blood sugar by visiting the store. Over 8 minutes, Ledford entered and left the store. Remaining parked for 40 minutes afterward, employees contacted 911, describing him as having wide, bulging eyes, unresponsive to others, and displaying twitching behavior. "He has no recollection of what actually happened, just bits and pieces, small things," Ledford's girlfriend Leslie McIntosh said. The situation escalated after he remained in his car, leading employees to request a wellness check. Responding officers extracted Ledford from his vehicle, using physical force and a taser, actions now under investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for potential excessive force. The incident's handling, particularly the absence of medical assistance and the manner of force used has been criticized. According to public records, paramedics were never called. Some police accounts were redacted in the report. Legal experts suggest the need for a thorough review to determine the appropriateness of the officers' response, emphasizing the importance of considering medical emergencies in police interactions. The District Attorney has indicated an ongoing investigation, withholding comment until its completion. Link: WLOS

KYRC 2023 Wrapperd Read More 7 hours ago 1 min News Police Tasered Man Having Diabetic Emergency At Walmart In Spruce Pine, N.C., a controversial police incident involving Dillon Ledford, who was arrested at a Walmart during a diabetic... 7 hours ago 2 min News Women’s Prison Where Inmates Were Subjected To Sex Abuse Closed By Bureau Of Prisons The federal Bureau of Prisons announced the closure of FCI Dublin, a women’s prison in California notoriously dubbed the "rape club" due... 8 hours ago 1 min News Deputy Christopher Bingham Faces Multiple Charges For Crimes Committed With Local Motorcycle Gang Christopher Bingham, a deputy in San Bernardino County and a gun store owner, faces charges for leading a double life involving criminal... 8 hours ago 1 min News Senate Committee Shuts Down Body Cam Transparency Bill A proposed bill in Alabama to make body camera footage publicly accessible was voted down by the state's Senate Judiciary Committee, with... 24 hours ago 2 min News The Right To Mass Protest In Louisiana, Mississippi & Texas Is Abolished By The Supreme Court The Supreme Court has opted not to review the Mckesson v. Doe case, leaving a lower court's decision intact. This ruling poses... 1 day ago 1 min News Lawyers Want Body Camera Footage Of Ex-Police Sergeant Mark Oakley Following 14 Complaints Of Police Brutality Lawyers are pushing for the release of body camera footage from ex-Warrenton Police Sergeant Mark Oakley, who was involved in alleged... 2 days ago 1 min News Affirmative Action Ruling Finds Duke University Ending Full-Ride Scholarship Program For Selected Black Students Duke University is discontinuing its Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program, established in 1979 for top African American... 2 days ago 1 min News Morgan Price Makes History As The First HBCU Gymnast To Win National Collegiate Title Morgan Price, a gymnast from Fisk University, made history by becoming the first athlete from a historically Black college or university... 2 days ago 2 min News Black Teenager Ralph Yarl Relives Being Shot In The Head By Andrew Lester After Ringing Wrong Doorbell Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager from Kansas City, is still grappling with the impact of a traumatic incident nearly a year ago when he was... 2 days ago 2 min News Man Says Police Tased Him During Medical Seizure & Tried To Cover It Up In San Anselmo, California, Bruce Frankel, 61, is suing the Central Marin Police Authority following an incident where officers used a... 6 days ago 1 min News Officer Who Blinded Black Woman During 2020 Protest Exonerated In 2020, Sacramento police officer Jeremy Ratcliffe was exonerated for shooting a pepper ball that resulted in Nia Love losing an eye... 6 days ago 1 min News Associated Press Report Shows How A Secondary Autopsy Disproved Police's Initial Accounts Of Jameek Lowery's Death Jameek Lowery's tragic death in Paterson, New Jersey, sparked controversy and community outrage, highlighting ongoing racial tensions... Apr 12 1 min News Non-compliance With In-Jail Voting Law Leads To ACLU To Threaten Lawsuits The ACLU of Nevada is set to file lawsuits against several county and city jails for non-compliance with a new state law enacted earlier... Apr 12 1 min News Donald Armstrong Left Paralyzed By Police During Mental Health Episode Donald Armstrong, a 47-year-old man from Miami, was left paralyzed after a police encounter during a mental health crisis, leading to... Apr 11 1 min News Anti-Discrimination Bill Written Without Black Lawmakers According To Representatives The South Carolina House passed a bill, 84-30, restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public colleges and... Apr 11 2 min News Veteran Carl Grant Got Lost Going Shopping Due To Dementia & Died Months Later After Being Body-Slammed By Police In February 2020, Carl Grant, a 68-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran with early-onset dementia, was paralyzed by a police officer in a... Apr 10 1 min News Leaders Within The United Nations Galvanize Action For Reparations For People Of African Descent During a United Nations meeting focused on the International Decade for People of African Descent, ending in 2024, General Assembly... Apr 10 1 min News Investigation Shows City Paid Out Over $21.5 Million To Settle Complaints Against Police Department Between 2018 and 2023, Columbus spent over $21.5 million settling complaints against its Division of Police, Axios reports. This... Apr 9 1 min News 3 Black Men Who Made Up The "Chester Trio" Get Their Murder Convictions Overturned Two Decades After Being Sentenced A Pennsylvania judge recently overturned the murder convictions of the "Chester Trio"—Derrick Chappell, Morton Johnson, and Samuel... Apr 9 2 min News Will.i.am Calls For Regulation Of Artificial Intelligence At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year, Grammy Award-winning musician and entrepreneur Will.i.am sat down... 1 2 3 4 5

DETROIT, MICHIGAN APRIL 13, 2024 Driven by a passionate commitment to uplift Black and Brown communities, Know Your Rights Camp wholeheartedly embraces the power of education to inspire self-empowerment, mobilize communities, and pioneer transformative systems. These efforts aim to elevate a new generation poised to lead profound change. Our camps embody the heart and soul of this mission, turning our deeply held beliefs into vibrant, tangible realities. ​ Our 12th camp was held at Cass Technical High School in Detroit and was an unforgettable day filled with inspiration and learning. We welcomed eager young minds from across the region, immersing them in their rich heritage while ensuring they learned their legal rights. Youth in attendance were presented with valuable knowledge about finance and opportunities within the tech industry. The event also emphasized the importance of nurturing both the mind and body through presentations about mental health and physical health. By the end of the day, every child left with their spirits soaring, equipped with the knowledge and tools to transform their communities and the world. ​ We are deeply grateful for our co-founders Colin & Nessa, the KYRC team and it's volunteers as well as the various presenters at KYRC Detroit: Brandan ‘BMike’ Odums and the Eternal Seeds team (Art), Cyekeia Lee and Mariela Regalado (Education), Melissa Jean-Baptiste (Finance), Crystal Bernard and Alana Burke (History), Nicole and Cayden Brown (Legal Rights), Haven Essien & Dr. Daicia Price (Mental Health), Armond Rashaad (Physical Health) and Antoine Digital (Technology). Their dedication and passion have been instrumental in making our mission a reality, and we are honored to have them as part of our community. ​ Where should the next KYRC location be? Let us know as we continue to pave the way for a brighter, more empowered tomorrow. SEE YOUR PHOTOS WITH COLIN

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