DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations

 

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here.

Key monthly DOC metrics show:

• As of June 1, 2023, the number of people in DOC jails was 6,004, a decrease of 20 people from May 1.

• 1,933 people entered DOC jails in May, compared to 1,860 people in April.

• DOC released 225 more people (1,956 total) in May than in April.

• In May, the average time spent in custody increased to 104 days – a six-day increase from April.
• In April, Rikers held 1,186 people with a serious mental illness, a slight increase  from 1,158 people in March.
• Incarcerated individuals missed their medical appointments 10,181 times in April, 98 fewer missed appointments than in February.

• DOC had 75 fewer uniformed officers between April and May, with uniformed staff totaling at 6,516.
• Violence incidents all increased from April to May: 40 more fights, 25 more slashings and stabbings, and one more assault.
• Although the number of use of force incidents against incarcerated individuals decreased in May, the rate of incidents per capita is higher due to a decline in the number of uniformed officers and incarcerated individuals.

• Judges assigned cash bail to 1,216 people in April (the latest data available). More than 1,000 people were assigned cash bail every month for the last 11 months.

Key data points from this month’s dashboard highlight pressing issues within the City’s jail system, including a rise in detained individuals with serious mental illness and more violent incidents. The DOC’s recent decision to discontinue disclosing deaths in custody sparked widespread concerns about transparency and accountability within the jail system. Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams conducted an oversight visit to Rikers after the Federal Monitor’s latest alarming reports in early June. Chief District Judge Laura Swain is now considering the appointment of a federal receiver to address the system’s challenges.

“The rollback of transparency coupled with the ever-growing number of detained people on Rikers amplifies the urgent need for management change. Judge Swain’s consideration of a federal receiver represents a significant signal toward the need for new management of City jails,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

The Comptroller’s dashboard, first published in August 2022, monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month and length of stay. The Comptroller’s office publishes data to this dashboard monthly to provide increased transparency and accountability over the City’s jail system.

View the DOC Dashboard here.