Jalil Launches FOIL Lawsuit

As we all know, the Parole Board employs a number of tactics to keep older political prisoners like Jalil Muntaqim behind bars. They maintain files concerning such prisoners, but they do not share any of this information with Jalil or his attorneys. Since May of 2012, Jalil has been fighting to secure access to any and all communications sent to DOCCS by individuals or organizations supporting or opposing his bid for parole. In January of this year, Michael Kuzma filed suit on behalf of Jalil under the Freedom to Information Law (FOIL) to gain access to all records maintained on him by DOCCS. The case is now pending in New York State Supreme Court, County of Wyoming, the Honorable Mark H. Dadd presiding.

Jalil has a right to under FOIL to see these documents. Jalil and Mike will continue to work to pry loose these records from DOCCS. It is Jalil’s firm belief that the release of these files will assist him in securing his liberation from prison. Read the Order to Show Cause, Petition, DOCCS answer, and Jalil’s Reply Affidavit for more information. Judge Dadd does not hear oral argument in prisoner cases, but he will soon issue a written decision as to whether DOCCS is required to release the documents under FOIL.

Disclosure, not secrecy, is the dominant feature of FOIL. Also, FOIL proceeds under the premise that the public is vested with an inherent right to know and that official secrecy is anathema to our form of government.

We will continue to keep you posted regarding the struggle to gain the release of the secret DOCCS files pertaining to Jalil.

Jalil Speaks

Important New York Law Journal Article on the Issue of the PBA and Parole

Click on the image below to read about the Case of the New York Three!

Jalil Launches FOIL Lawsuit

Click on the image below to read about
the Case of the New York Three!