Support Raeshawn *Children need healing not punishment by incarceration*

Suffolk County

Incarcerated since he was 14 years old, Raeshawn was recently transferred to the notorious Maximum Security Prison, Souza Baranowski, where his life is in grave danger.

Our community has been ravaged by systemic neglect and poverty for generations and our young ones bear the brunt. Raeshawn Moody had well-documented yet untreated mental health issues as well as chronic homelessness and trauma.

“... The system failed me. At the time I was a 14 year old homeless boy battling multiple mental health conditions ... ADHD , ADD , PTSD , Impulsivity & Anxiety ... That wasn't and still am not receiving treatment. I had NO home to go to ... I had no choice but to hang in the streets and when you hang in the streets you tend to get caught up in things you shouldn't be caught up in. I feel like everyone saw me losing to the system long before this happened but nobody cared enough to attempt to help.” - Raeshawn Moody

Raeshawn needs to be transferred back to the Department of Youth Services and resourced with proper treatment, training and educational opportunities.

Raeshawn will be coming home to take his place in our community. We hope and pray it is sooner not later but he is coming home. During his time at DYS he demonstrated his determination and commitment to live his life with positive purpose. Raeshawn needs treatment for his mental health and training & education so he can continue to grow and develop. We need him healthy and whole so he can contribute fully and positively to our community when he returns.

“The effect that it has caused on our family is heartbreaking. Let me assure you that, if this transfer is granted for Raeshawn he will have the support of his entire family and close loving friends.” - Retha Moody, Raeshawn’s mother


Please sign this petition to revisit Raeshawn’s case and keep him safe by transferring him back to the Department of Youth Services.

Ending the incarceration of women and girls includes ending the incarceration of children.


To: Suffolk County
From: [Your Name]

Children need healing not punishment by incarceration. The system is punishing Raeshawn double by not only incarcerating a child, but locking him up at the state's notorious maximum security prison. In 2015, Raeshawn was charged and incarcerated at age 14. Recently, Raeshawn was transferred to Souza Baranowski and is in grave danger. Raeshawn needs to be transferred back to the Department of Youth Services and resourced with proper treatment.

“It's like everyone is saying “He needs help" ..."He needs structure” ...“He needs this and he needs that" but then when I caught my case they were so focused on the charges that they missed the biggest part ... The system failed me. At the time I was a 14 year old homeless boy battling multiple mental health conditions ... ADHD , ADD , PTSD , Impulsivity & Anxiety ... That wasn't and still am not receiving treatment. I had NO home to go to ... I had no choice but to hang in the streets and when you hang in the streets you tend to get caught up in things you shouldn't be caught up in. I feel like everyone saw me losing to the system long before this happened but nobody cared enough to attempt to help.” - Raeshawn Moody

Communities are grieving both the loss of a child to gun violence and a child to state violence.

“The effect that it has caused on our family is heartbreaking. Let me assure you that, if this transfer is granted for Raeshawn he will have the support of his entire family and close loving friends.” - Retha Moody, Raeshawn’s mother

Prison will not provide Raeshawn the opportunity to grow and heal from his trauma. The system is only causing further harm. The community is ready to step up and support Raeshawn, including housing him and providing him with resources and support. We need the system to revisit Raeshawn's conviction and sentence in order to transfer him back to DYS. Raeshawn wrote a letter to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins (pasted below). Raeshawn needs to be transferred back to the Department of Youth Services and resourced with proper treatment. ​