From Prison Cell to Policy: Incarcerated Activist Calls on States to Fully Abolish Slavery

Speaking from inside Woodbourne Correctional Facility, incarcerated activist Atiq Weston is urging state lawmakers to close what he calls a “constitutional loophole” — the failure of 28 U.S. states, including New York, to fully codify the anti-slavery language of the 13th Amendment into their state constitutions.

Weston, currently serving a 15-year sentence for manslaughter and robbery, has dedicated his time behind bars to research and legislative advocacy. Along with fellow inmates, he discovered that more than half of U.S. states have yet to fully adopt the federal amendment that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in 1865.

“There is no reason why any state should not already be in full compliance,” said Weston. “Without the 13th Amendment, minorities in America would still be acknowledged as property.”

Weston’s activism extends beyond prison reform. He recently proposed a federal bill — the Torture and Terrorism Deterrence Act of 2025 — which he says was acknowledged by Congressman Pat Ryan’s office. The bill seeks to prosecute mass shootings, hate crimes, and cyberattacks as acts of terrorism and would enhance protections for public officials and critical infrastructure.

Despite his incarceration, Weston continues to seek clemency, citing what he calls an unconstitutional conviction. “All human beings are worthy, regardless of the mistakes they’ve made,” he said.

He’s also critical of current prison conditions, describing retaliation and deteriorating quality of life for inmates following recent staffing shortages and strikes. While he credits the military presence at Woodbourne with improving professionalism, he questions its legality under New York military law.

Calling on lawmakers and civil rights groups to act, Weston hopes his efforts will inspire legislative change — both inside and outside the prison walls. “This is about respect, human dignity, and fixing what should have been corrected 160 years ago,” he said.

Credit Drawing: The Everett Collection