PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Chaplain Dr. Victoria Phillips, Founder/CEO of Visionary V
3:52:20
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3 min
Chaplain Dr. Victoria Phillips, Founder/CEO of Visionary V, testified about the unsafe conditions at Rikers Island, the lack of accountability and transparency from DOC and CHS, and the need for improved notification procedures for families of incarcerated individuals. She shared personal experiences of working with families affected by deaths and injuries in custody.
- Highlighted the death of a detainee and a uniform staff member at Rikers this year
- Discussed a case of sexual assault involving a female officer that was allegedly being covered up
- Proposed solutions for improving emergency contact updates and chaplain utilization in the correctional system
Chaplain Dr. Victoria Phillips
3:52:20
Can you hear me?
3:52:22
Peace and blessed.
3:52:22
Can you hear me?
3:52:24
Yes.
3:52:25
Can I hear you?
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Oh, okay.
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Peace and blessings, everyone, cheers and council members.
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I am chapter doctor Victoria's folks today.
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I'm speaking as founder, CEO of Visiting Ministries, and leader on member of many coalitions.
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This year, this city was a detainee and uniform staff member.
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Who both dropped in the yard and now are no longer with us.
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Breakers is not safe for anyone.
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Years ago, the jail's action coalition and others for it to remove carrizes for men for a month more just healthcare system and response.
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The unfortunate truth is I've worked with each family you heard today, and my ministry doesn't stop at a rally.
3:53:00
I answer Florian calls for emotional, financial, and spiritual support.
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New York City leaders continue to give condolences and thank loved ones for speaking of truth that they membership has to do.
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While DLC in that time, CHS accountability and transparency continues to fall short.
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Serious injury in June 2024, I wish referred to as the female officer who was sexually assaulted by another officer.
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It occurred on tour, and I believe, on camera.
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It was being pushed away because of based on who he's related to.
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Normally, I responded to her from investigation till the day after, I informed the high rating DOC of SITU that I want to discuss in the officer and officer and assault with her.
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In July, I was referring to Charisma Jones family to assist as I do with families in the agreement process.
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New York City corrections system fell this twenty three year old.
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She died July 14th after being medically tortured.
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Let me be clear.
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Charisma was supposed to be released at somebody night 2024.
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He entered DLC custody healthy yet transitioned in a condition of a physical body appearing as if she was a fire victim.
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Respect individual's privacy while introducing any and every bill for accountability and trans parenthesis from my years of nursing, and that's 20 plus years of a death doula.
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I know that accurate emergency contacts are key and often do change.
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However, a simple solution to is to include contact updates along with the check-in for medication regimen.
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A standard medical requirement with each checkup and or follow-up.
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In addition, required notice in the phone areas and by the bump, you can remind and tell me that the change hasn't occurred.
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It's on them.
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And lastly, I wanna say, see, my my chaplain book is beat up because I carry it with me every single day, and I can respond.
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I'm trying to respond to any religion.
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I'm a spiritual chaplain, but I'm trying for Catholic, for Protestant, for Jewish, Muslim, into faith, Buddhist prayers, prayers, and Spanish.
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I even have the downfall and the hell marry in here.
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And and my training as a a chaplain, all chapter wins.
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I know us trying to respond and care and love and by the grace of the most high to any person or religion in me for us.
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So a whole DLC accountable with how they utilize their chaplains how long they take to utilize their chaplains.
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And if their chaplains are not equipped to respond to any of and every person in need regardless of spirit to connection, they should be, and there's something wrong with that disconnect.
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Peace and blessings every month.
