Standing with Families and Advocating for Justice at Albany County Correctional Facility

Written by Ta-Sean C. Murdock, Executive Director

Pictured: Community Member and Parent of Incarcerated person at Albany County Correctional Facility Lameka King and CBS 6 Tom Eschen

Albany, NY - At the Center for Law and Justice, we have long believed that a just society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable—and this includes those incarcerated persons and their families. In Albany County, countless families live with the weight of uncertainty, fear, and frustration as they navigate the challenges of the correctional system via Albany County Correctional Facility. These families are more than statistics; they are parents, siblings, partners, and children, each with a story that deserves to be heard.

Our work has focused on supporting these families in sharing their stories and advocating for meaningful change. We provide guidance, resources, and encouragement so that they can have a voice in shaping the systems that affect their lives. By listening to families, amplifying their experiences, and supporting their advocacy efforts, we bring attention to the human reality behind incarceration—a reality that too often goes unseen.

Collaboration with other community-based organizations is central to this work. Through partnerships with the Freedom Unshackled Coalition, NAACP, Bridge Tha Gap, the New York State Council of Churches, All of Us and many others, we are building a network of support that calls for the humane treatment of incarcerated individuals. Our collective advocacy is grounded in the belief that every person, regardless of the crime they may have committed, deserves dignity, respect, and fair treatment.

Yet, despite these efforts, the work is often frustrating and disheartening. Too often, our hands are tied by a lack of accountability and a limited willingness within the system to engage in honest, constructive dialogue or implement positive, meaningful solutions. The consequences of inaction are felt by families and incarcerated individuals who depend on a system that, at its best, should protect human dignity and foster rehabilitation.

Pictured: Founder of CFLJ Dr. Alice P. Green fighting for the eliminating of prisons.

We firmly believe that incarceration is insufficient and counterproductive. Incarceration does not serve as effective rehabilitation, and a system that prioritizes punishment over healing fails both individuals and communities. Because of this, the Center for Law and Justice continues to work toward eliminating mass incarceration and advocating for a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation, accountability, and support.

Moving forward, we must think boldly about solutions as it relates to issues within Albany County Correctional Facility. One proposal we believe could make a meaningful difference is the creation of some type of oversight commission. Such a commission would provide independent review of correctional practices, ensure transparency, and elevate the voices of families, advocates, and community members. Oversight alone is not enough—it must be paired with systemic reforms, including improved access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and rehabilitative programs for incarcerated individuals, as well as meaningful engagement with families to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.

Justice is not achieved through silence. It is achieved when communities come together to demand fairness, dignity, and humanity for all. We invite our community, leaders, community-based organizations and policymakers to join us in these efforts. The work ahead will not be easy, but the voices of families, the courage of advocates, and the shared commitment to a more just society can create real, lasting change. Together, we can reimagine a justice system that values rehabilitation over punishment, transparency over secrecy, and human dignity over neglect.