A Distinguished Trio in the Running to Reform NYC’s Troubled Jail System
A distinguished New York City civil rights lawyer, a nationally recognized jail reformer, and the former acting commissioner of the city’s jail system are among the potential contenders to serve as the court-appointed receiver to run NYC’s troubled Department of Correction (DOC).
Normal Siegel, the former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union; Mark Cranston, the previous acting commissioner of the DOC; and Dean Williams, a nationally known incarceration reformer who oversaw state-run lockups in Alaska and Colorado, each told THE CITY that they’d consider serving in the role if asked by Judge Laura Taylor Swain.
Raised Hands
Siegel, who has close ties to Mayor Eric Adams dating back to his days with the Police Department, expressed interest in taking on the challenging task of reforming the DOC, which has a $1 billion yearly budget. “I’m definitely interested,” he said. “Rikers Island has been, and continues to be, a mess.”
Experience and Expertise
While Siegel has no experience running a jail, he has spent the past few years coordinating a program encouraging unhoused people to voluntarily enter a homeless shelter. Cranston, on the other hand, has extensive experience in correction management and a proven track record of working with labor unions. He served as the warden of Middlesex County Department of Corrections & Youth Services in New Jersey, where he oversaw a facility with a good safety record.
A National Expert
Dean Williams, who headed lockups in Alaska and Colorado, has a long history of advocating and enacting reforms such as expanded work release programs, boosted pay for detainees, and significantly reduced use of solitary confinement as a punishment. He also started Colorado’s first prison radio show.
The Role of the Receiver
The receiver may be someone with zero experience running a jail but will likely be someone who has the ability to manage the department and enact major changes, according to legal experts familiar with other jail and prison receiverships throughout the country. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a jail person,” said Hernandez D. Stroud, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law. “It could be someone who has experience with criminal justice reform.”
Power and Responsibility
The legal experts emphasized that the receiver’s power and responsibility are still unclear. Judge Swain has ordered the Legal Aid Society, the city, and federal lawyers to hash out the details of the receiver’s role by January 14. The receiver may have nearly total power over budgets and hiring and firing staff, and may not need to abide by previously negotiated union contracts.
Conclusion
The potential contenders for the court-appointed receiver role bring a mix of experience, expertise, and passion for reform to the table. While the role’s power and responsibility are still unclear, one thing is certain: the need for reform in NYC’s troubled jail system is urgent.
