Author Archives: kflaherty57c745acc0

PLS Board announces selection of Krin Flaherty, Executive Director

PLS Board of Directors Announces Selection of Krin Flaherty to Succeed Karen Murtagh as Executive Director On behalf of Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York Board of Directors, we announce the appointment of Krin Flaherty as PLS’ next Executive Director. This announcement follows the move of  Karen L. Murtagh, our esteemed Executive Director of PLSContinue reading “PLS Board announces selection of Krin Flaherty, Executive Director”

Scott Hooks – PREP Social Worker

Scott Hooks PREP Social Worker (518) 859-6810 shooks@plsny.org Scott Hooks, LMSW, CASAC-M, began his PLS employment as a NYC-based PREP social worker in March 2026. Before this, Scott worked for more than a decade supporting individuals and communities. He earned his Master of Social Work from Touro University. He was selected as a 2024–2025 BeyondContinue reading “Scott Hooks – PREP Social Worker”

Federal litigation concerning proximity to minor child and disability concerns survives motion to dismiss

Federal litigation addressing proximity to minor child and disability concerns survives motion to dismiss Judge D’Agostino of the Northern District of NY issued a decision denying, in part, DOCCS’ motion to dismiss litigation concerning the intersection between disability and proximity to minor child placement (PMC). The Plaintiff in this case was approved for a PMC transfer,Continue reading “Federal litigation concerning proximity to minor child and disability concerns survives motion to dismiss”

Settlement in PLS Shock Incarceration Program ADA/ Rehab Act litigation

ADA & Rehab Act Challenge to Shock Incarceration Program Policy Settlement On February 11, 2026, the court granted preliminary approval to the class settlement in Raymond v. DOCCS. PLS has been litigating this case since November 2020. It concerns administration of the Shock Incarceration Program. Previously, DOCCS routinely screened individuals out of the program basedContinue reading “Settlement in PLS Shock Incarceration Program ADA/ Rehab Act litigation”

Gabriella Phillips – Immigration Staff Attorney

Gabriella Phillips Staff Attorney, Upstate Immigration Court Project 716-844-8266 gphillips@plsny.org Gabriella (“Bella”) was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She graduated from John Caroll University in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology. Before law school, Bella was a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corp, serving as a refugee resettlement intern in Philadelphia, PA. In MayContinue reading “Gabriella Phillips – Immigration Staff Attorney”

Immigration Habeas Win

Immigration Habeas Corpus Win In partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, the National Immigration Project, and Singleton Schrieber LLP, PLS secured release from immigration detention for a 20-year-old youth from upstate New York. The habeas petitioner had been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in 2022, yet was arrested by immigration after the fact.Continue reading “Immigration Habeas Win”

First Amendment Protections for Immigrants Detained in Buffalo ICE Detention Facility

First Amendment Protections Settlement for Immigrants Detained in Buffalo ICE Detention Facility In 2025, PLS, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, and Covington & Burling LLC filed PLS v. DHS, 1:25-cv-00787-LJV (W.D.N.Y. 2025) to challenge ICE policies that impeded confidential communications between immigrant detainees in the BuffaloContinue reading “First Amendment Protections for Immigrants Detained in Buffalo ICE Detention Facility”