Introduction to the Crisis
New York City will no longer fully control its jail system, including the long-troubled Rikers Island complex, after a federal judge found the city had failed to stem spiraling dysfunction and brutality against those in custody.
What to Know
- New York City will no longer fully control its jail system, including the long-troubled Rikers Island complex, after a federal judge found the city had failed to stem spiraling dysfunction and brutality against those in custody.
- Instead, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain said she would appoint an outside manager to “take all necessary steps” toward restoring order inside the jails and bringing the city into compliance with previous court orders.
- The official, known as a “remediation manager,” will report directly to the court.
Background
New York City will no longer fully control its jail system, including the long-troubled Rikers Island complex, after a federal judge found the city had failed to stem spiraling dysfunction and brutality against those in custody. Instead, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain said she would appoint an outside manager to “take all necessary steps” toward restoring order inside the jails and bringing the city into compliance with previous court orders.
Role of the Remediation Manager
The official, known as a “remediation manager,” will report directly to the court. While the city’s corrections commissioner will remain responsible for much of the day-to-day operations of the jail system, the remediation manager will have broad powers to address long-standing safety problems, including authority over hiring and promotions, staff deployment and disciplinary action regarding the use of force.
The Need for Intervention
The extraordinary intervention, outlined Tuesday by Swain in a 77-page order, comes nearly a decade after the city’s jail system was placed under federal oversight as part of a class-action lawsuit brought by detainees. In the years since, rates of violence have continued to increase, creating a “grave and immediate threat” that violates the constitutional rights of those in custody, according to Swain.
Reaction to the Decision
At a press conference Tuesday, Adams said the city would follow the judge’s order, while also suggesting the appointment of an outside manager was not necessary. “Remediation manager? I don’t know the definition of that,” he said. “We have this oversight and that oversight. How much oversight are you going to do before you realize there are systemic problems?” Benny Boscio, the president of the union that represents correction officers, said the union was willing to work with the outside manager, but it would maintain "our fierce advocacy for the preservation of our members’ employment rights and improving their working conditions.”
Advocates’ Perspective
Advocates for detainees, meanwhile, celebrated the judge’s order as a turning point in a decades-long effort at reform. “This has the potential to finally change the culture of violence and brutality in the city’s jails that we’ve seen for decades,” said Debbie Greenberger, an attorney with the Emery Celli law firm, which represents detainees, along with the Legal Aid Society. “Nothing is going to change overnight, but I’m more hopeful today that we have a path to transformational change,” she added.
Conclusion
The appointment of a remediation manager to oversee the New York City jail system marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to managing its jails. With the city’s history of failing to address the systemic problems within the jail system, this move is seen as a last resort to ensure the safety and constitutional rights of those in custody. The success of this intervention will depend on the cooperation between the city, the remediation manager, and the various stakeholders involved.
FAQs
- Q: Why was the remediation manager appointed?
- A: The remediation manager was appointed due to the city’s failure to address the systemic problems and violence within the jail system, despite being under federal oversight for nearly a decade.
- Q: What are the powers of the remediation manager?
- A: The remediation manager has broad authority to address safety problems, including hiring and promotions, staff deployment, and disciplinary action regarding the use of force.
- Q: How does this affect the city’s control over its jail system?
- A: The city will no longer have full control over its jail system, with the remediation manager reporting directly to the court and having significant oversight powers.
- Q: What is the reaction from advocates for detainees?
- A: Advocates for detainees see the appointment of the remediation manager as a positive step towards reform and potentially changing the culture of violence and brutality in the city’s jails.
