My brother is one of the many individuals suffering under this prison lockdown, and our family is living through an unimaginable nightmare. He has been confined to his cell for days, enduring inhumane conditions with no relief in sight. He describes toilets that have been clogged for days, filling the air with an unbearable stench, and a complete lack of access to showers or basic hygiene, leaving him feeling filthy and dehumanized. He has not been allowed outside, has no recreation, and has been completely cut off from the world. The only reason we even know what he is experiencing is because he has access to a tablet to send messages, something that most prisoners don’t have. Many inmates are completely isolated, unable to call their families or provide any sign that they are safe, leaving their loved ones in anguish, desperate for answers.

The emotional toll this has taken on us is overwhelming. Every message we receive from my brother is filled with exhaustion and fear, and we can’t stop imagining him sitting in that cell, hungry, unbathed, and alone. Our family is consumed with worry, knowing that there is nothing we can do to reach him, to comfort him, or to advocate for his basic needs. No family should have to live in this kind of fear, uncertain about the safety and well-being of someone they love.

What is happening inside these prisons is a blatant violation of human rights. The conditions behind these walls violate the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), which establish that incarcerated individuals must be treated with dignity and provided access to basic necessities such as food, water, and communication. Yet, these rights are being stripped away, and those in power are turning a blind eye. We must hold Governor Kathy Hochul, the Department of Corrections, state lawmakers, and prison officials accountable for allowing these inhumane conditions to persist.  

Everyday that this lockdown continues is another day of unnecessary suffering. We cannot allow bureaucratic inaction to justify the mistreatment of human beings. Prison should never mean deprivation of basic human rights. We are calling for immediate action to restore humane conditions before it is too late.

Through this petition, we are making it clear that human dignity cannot be ignored behind prison walls. We urge you to stand with us, sign the petition, share this message, and be part of the change that these individuals so desperately need. Let’s ensure that correctional facilities uphold the basic standards of humane treatment and dignity for all.