My boyfriend is nearing the end of his incarceration. The way that the staff at the prison, Coxsackie Correctional Facility, go out of their way to make him and other inmates completely miserable has passed the point of being merely sad and unfair. It has now reached a level that leaves me, our family, and many others outraged. The New York Department of Corrections (NY DOCCS) claims to promote rehabilitation and prepare inmates for release, yet their actions speak otherwise.

Injustice within correctional facilities is not a new issue. In fact, it's an ongoing problem that needs urgent attention. According to data from Prison Policy Initiative, as many as 2.3 million people are incarcerated in America on any given day - with a significant number experiencing harsh treatment beyond what their sentences require. There is no access to counselors and proper healthcare services. Inmates deal with unclean living conditions, correctional staff withholding and/or rejecting email communications to family and friends for no explained reason, and physical violence, amongst other things.

The NY DOCCS must be held accountable for its actions or lack thereof when it comes to ensuring fair treatment for all inmates under its care. This goes beyond my boyfriend's situation; this is about every individual who has been subjected to unnecessary hardship while serving their time.

We demand transparency in how NY DOCCS operates its facilities and treats its inmates. We call upon state officials to conduct an independent investigation into these allegations of mistreatment within NY DOCCS facilities.

This petition isn't just about one person; it's about demanding justice for all those who have been unfairly treated by a system that should be focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Please sign this petition if you believe in justice, fairness, and accountability from our institutions - starting with the New York Department of Corrections.