Squadron Slams Justice System That Jails Innocent New Yorkers for Years at a Time

Senate Codes Ranker Says Injustice of Kalief Browder Case Requires System Review and Broad Reform

Squadron: Jailing Innocent New Yorkers for Years is Unjust and Un-American

NEW YORK— In response to an October 6 article in the New Yorker, State Senator Daniel Squadron, ranker on the Senate Codes Committee, issued the following statement: 

"Kalief Browder was accused of stealing a backpack in May 2010. Browder asserted his innocence and refused to plea to a lesser charge. He was held in pre-trial detention at Rikers Island for three years before prosecutors ultimately moved to dismiss his case. Any system that jails the innocent for years at a time is both unjust and un-American. Kalief Browder spent three years locked up at Rikers because the system failed him. Broad reforms to the entire system are clearly necessary, and I intend to undertake a thorough review to identify changes that can address these crucial issues. The system must work better for everyone."