Author Archives: ypereyaslavskiy

PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES’ 7TH ANNUAL PRO BONO CELEBRATION

On October 4, 2017, PLS hosted  our 7th Annual Pro Bono Celebration at the First Congregational Church in Albany New York . The event also included a performance by Soul Rebel Performance Troupe entitled: “Letters from Home: Incarcerated New Yorkers Reflect on the Love of Their Families.”Through the stories of incarcerated individuals, attendees heard about theContinue reading “PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES’ 7TH ANNUAL PRO BONO CELEBRATION”

COVID-19 MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD AND STAFF OF PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES OF NEW YORK

The staff of Prisoners’ Legal Services is extremely concerned about the health and safety of everyone in DOCCS custody during this pandemic. PLS, other prisoners’ rights advocacy organizations and Legislators have been in regular contact with DOCCS, the Board of Parole and Governor Cuomo’s office about our concerns, particularly with respect to reducing the prisonContinue reading “COVID-19 MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD AND STAFF OF PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES OF NEW YORK”

Court Orders Reversal and Expungement of Disciplinary Charges Based on Res Judicata

Citing Gustus v. Fischer, 64 A.D.3d 1034 (2009) the court held that “where two misbehavior reports charge violations concerning a single incident and all of the information necessary to support the charges was available before commencement of first hearing, a hearing on second misbehavior report is barred by doctrine of res judicata.”

APPELLATE DIVISION REVERSES AND EXPUNGES PRISON DISCIPLINARY HEARING HELD IN PETITIONER’S ABSENCE

The court stated: “Although the form includes instructions to inform an inmate about the nature of the hearing, the charges against him or her and the fact that the hearing will be conducted in the refusing inmate’s absence, the record reflects no information regarding the steps taken to ascertain the legitimacy of petitioner’s refusal or to inform him of his right to attend the hearing and the consequences of his failure to do so.” Wilson v. Annucci, #523541 (3d Dep’t) (March 2, 2017).

Court Orders Expungement Of Disciplinary Charges Due To Inadequate Employee Assistance And Wrongful Denial Of Witness

On February 9, 2017, the Appellate Division, Third Department issued a decision in the case holding that our client was prejudiced by the assistant’s failure to interview the requested witnesses and that the Hearing Officer erred in denying the requested witness based on his own speculation regarding the content of the witness’s testimony.

Halinka Zolcik – Accredited Representative

Halinka Zolcik Accredited RepresentativeTel.: 518-694-8699 x 2106 hzolcik@plsny.org Halinka joined the Albany office of PLS as an immigration law graduate/immigrant justice corps fellow in September 2017. Halinka received her JD from the University of Wyoming College of Law in May 2017. Before attending law school, she worked for a criminal law district court judge forContinue reading “Halinka Zolcik – Accredited Representative”

Karen L. Murtagh – Executive Director Emeritus

Karen L. Murtagh Executive Director EmeritusTel.:(518) 445-6052kmurtagh@plsny.org Karen Murtagh has litigated issues concerning prisoners’ due process rights at disciplinary hearings, prison conditions, deliberate indifference, the First Amendment and the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). She has tried cases in both the Court of Claims and Federal Court and has argued numerous cases before New YorkContinue reading “Karen L. Murtagh – Executive Director Emeritus”

Aleta Albert – Director of Advocacy

Aleta Albert Director of Advocacy (607) 273-2283  ext. 1202 aalbert@plsny.org   Aleta Albert, Director of Advocacy. Aleta has worked at Prisoners’ Legal Services since 1985. She has held a number of positions since beginning her employment and is currently the Director of Advocacy. She processes and responds to intake letters from inmates.  She handles production and copy editing for Pro Se asContinue reading “Aleta Albert – Director of Advocacy”