Demonstration Against Abuse in Erie County Jails

Buffalo Citizens Cry: “No Excuses for Prisoner Abuses!”
Demonstrators Demand Swift Action by the Sheriff and County Executive

Buffalo, NY-- Local residents took to the streets on Wednesday calling Sheriff Timothy Howard and County Executive Chris Collins to account for abuses endured by Erie County prisoners. Outraged upon reading a US Justice Department report detailing improper treatment received by inmates at the Erie County Holding Center, they called for both elected officials to cooperate with full inspections of all of their facilities by the US Justice Department, and to promptly address grievances of those reported to have suffered abuse.

“It could be my friend or neighbor in the holding cell for a minor infraction,” says Buffalo resident Shira Atkinson. “I would just hate it if they were taken on a secret ‘elevator ride’ and beaten as mentioned in the report.”

“There is a clear trend of serious physical and emotional abuse occurring mainly at the hands of corrections officers in prisons throughout New York state,” stated Jordan Gerow, a leader of Buffalo Queer and Trans Prisoner Solidarity Project (BQTPSP). “It’s a shame that our elected officials could turn a blind eye to such human rights violations so close to home, right here in Buffalo.”

A new organization, Buffalo Queer and Trans Prisoner Solidarity Project, organized the demonstration. The group advocates for incarcerated members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community by educating the community and maintaining supportive penpal friendships with prisoners.

According to a report titled “It’s a War In Here” published in 2007 by the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, their low-income and people of color intersex, transgender, and gender non-conforming clients who faced imprisonment in New York state “overwhelmingly report experiencing assault, denial of urgently needed medical care, and placement in gender inappropriate facilities.” Interviewees for the report additionally mentioned rape, forced prostitution, humiliation, death threats and assault among their grievances with corrections officers in New York state facilities.

It is paramount that our society treats inmates at every level of the prison system humanely and justly. In order to successfully reintegrate upon release, former inmates need to be free of traumatic experiences suffered at the hands of corrections officers and other inmates.

Prisoners inside the jail could be heard yelling and responding to chants of "prisoners are people too" and "no excuse for jail abuse." Another protest is planned for Wednesday next week, 5-6pm, outside the holding facility.

CONTACT: Jordan Gerow, 716-510-7425, buffaloqtpsp@gmail.com