The SSJ Justice and Peace
Office is advocating for a proposed state law aimed at addressing the mental
health crisis. Daniel’s Law would create and establish state and regional
mental health response councils, which would authorize mental health
professionals to respond to mental health and substance abuse emergencies
instead of the police. The law is named after Daniel Prude who died following
his arrest by the Rochester Police Department in March 2020. According to
police reports, Prude, an unarmed Black man, was experiencing a mental health
emergency after ingesting PCP. The incident sparked days of protests in the
City of Rochester after police body-cam footage of the arrest was released in
September.
Sister Phyllis Tierney,
SSJ Justice and Peace Office Coordinator, sent a letter to state officials supporting
Daniel’s Law saying, in part, “As Sisters of Saint Joseph who have served
members of the Rochester community for over 160 years, we are deeply concerned
about the racial injustice that has been part of our community’s fabric for
many years. As we examine our own issues regarding race and equity, we also must
examine the role of racial inequity within the justice system in our local,
state, and national culture. Recent events including the death of Daniel Prude
have highlighted the need for a different response to persons experiencing
mental health crises, especially where Black and Brown people are involved.”
The letter noted that similar initiatives have already been put in place in
several other states.