Sylvia A. Harvey's blog underlines #BEYONDrosies campaign and its efforts to shut the deadly Rose M. Singer Center (Rosie's) on Rikers Island.

"In New York, incarcerated women are facing life-and-death issues at the Rose M. Singer Center, the women's jail on Rikers Island. Women held at "Rosie's" are housed in unsanitary conditions and denied medical and mental health services." 

"Layleen Polanco, a 27-year-old transgender woman, died after having a fatal epileptic seizure while in solitary confinement when guards failed to respond immediately. In May, Mary Yehudah, died of an overdose while detained at Rosie's."

Harvey notes that Black women are incarcerated at double the rate of white women, while Latinx women have a 1 in 45 chance compared to white women's 1 in 111 chance of incarceration.

"Women in jails report higher rates of mental health issues when compared to men, with 1 in 3 experiencing 'serious psychological distress.' At Rosie's, mental health issues go unnoticed and untreated, putting these women at greater risk. 

Sign our letter to the Governor and Mayor to close Rosie’s and open the Women’s Center for Justice. 

If you are a Harlem resident, sign here.