Antonio Battle's Sudden Release
First, the good news: After spending a total of 73 days at the Tombs and then Rikers Island because his parole officer had him arrested in his group shelter for a technical violation when he didn't immediately notify him that he'd transferred from his recovery facility, Antonio Battle is finally out.
Now, the bad news. He was released on Friday night, a week ahead of schedule, with no warning and the little money he's made working on the island during his stay being held until after the weekend. In other words, he's spending Easter weekend broke on the streets trying to find a shelter to stay in while he scrambles to put back together his plan for re-entry and employment that the DOC destroyed on February 6.
It's important to note that he's been held for extra weeks by the court on the island at EMTC on the condition that he had to find another shelter or long-term care facility before they would release him. Now, as he's been working that out, suddenly and without warning they release him late on a Friday night, sending him into the streets without the little money he's earned while they held him.
I'm giving him a hundred dollars tomorrow morning to hopefully get him through the weekend, but honestly, I'm sickened. The New York City Department of Correction has shown itself yet again to be morally bankrupt and completely unconcerned for the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens. Many of you have followed Antonio's case for almost a year now, and it's been marked time and again by courts and officers berating him for not getting his life in order, then kicking him square in the figurative teeth as he tries to do just that.
It's now 3am, the dark night of the soul on the eve of Easter Sunday, and I'm writing you from a place of disgust and despair. Many of you have given of your time in writing him letters, of your money when he's needed it, and of your advocacy in speaking his truth to your people. I don't know what's left to ask of you, or of myself. When people say our criminal justice system hates black men, we have Antonio Battle's story, among many others, to cite.
Re/Creation is now running a fundraiser from July 12-31 with limited edition t-shirts and coffee mugs featuring Antonio Battle’s work. Please considering buying one (or more!). All funds will go to Antonio as he continues to struggle and strive in his work and in his reentry.