Wednesday, April 19, 2023

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.

March 2023’s key monthly DOC metrics show:

  • As of April 3, the jail population was 5,951 people, a slight increase of 36 people from March 1.
  • 1,875 people were admitted to the jail in March, 223 more people than in February. 1,885 people were discharged, 179 more people than in the previous month.
  • Judges assigned cash bail to over 1,000 people in February, the latest data available, for the ninth consecutive month in a row.
  • In March, the average length-of-stay dropped slightly to 109 days—a 3 day decrease from the month before.
  • The number of people with serious mental illness held at Rikers continued to trend slowly upwards, increasing slightly from 1,153 in January to 1,164 in February.
  • Incarcerated people did not show for their requested medical appointments 9,205 times in February, an increase of 67 from January.
  • The average number of uniformed staff increased by 30 officers between February and March, totaling 6,661.
  • The Department’s total number of uniformed staff on sick leave continues to trend downward, declining to 639 in March.
  • All types of violent incidents increased in March: assaults on staff increased to 59, and stabbings increased to 32.

Last month’s report from the Federal Monitor found that while some areas saw slow improvement, excessive force by staff on people incarcerated, assaults on staff, and violence between people in custody remains alarmingly high.

Meanwhile, the number of people held in City jails continues to rise, undermining the goal of closing Rikers Island by 2027, as required by law. The detained population at Rikers remains well above the 3,300 person capacity of the borough-based jails intended to replace the notorious complex. This month’s data show some limited improvements with regard to average length-of-stay and uniformed staff on sick leave. However, the rising jail population indicates that the Adams Administration is not on track to close Rikers by 2027.

“We made a commitment as a city to shutter the violent, isolated, and crumbling facilities on Rikers Island. Yet the rising number of people detained pre-trial and the ongoing effort to roll back bail reforms in Albany are taking us in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, DOC’s failure to get a handle on violence – which rose again this month – threatens the lives and safety of both people in custody and staff. Given the rise in violence and the lack of a long-term plan, I continue to believe it is time for the appointment of a Federal receiver,” 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 dashboard here.

Attorney General James to Host First Ever Statewide Gun Buyback on April 29

 

In her ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers from gun violence and keep communities safe, New York Attorney General Letitia James is hosting the first-ever statewide community gun buyback in New York on Saturday, April 29. This one-day statewide initiative will feature nine simultaneous gun buyback events held across the state, at which the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will accept — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. The OAG provides money in the form of prepaid gift cards when a gun is received and secured by law enforcement officers on site. 

Working in partnership with local law enforcement agencies and leaders, Attorney General James is hosting the gun buybacks on Saturday, April 29, at the following times and locations:

  • Family Life Academy in the Bronx – 14 West 170th St, Bronx, NY 10452. 10 AM to 1 PM. 
  • All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn – 115 Throop Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206. 10AM to 1 PM.
  • OAG Suffolk Regional Office in Suffolk County – 300 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788. 10 AM to 1 PM.
  • Watervliet Dome in Albany County – 1300 2nd Ave, Watervliet, NY 12189. 10 AM to 1 PM.
  • American Legion Post in Ulster County –18 West O’Reilly St, Kingston, NY 12401. 10 AM to 1 PM.
  • St. Lucy’s Food Pantry in Onondaga County – 425 Gifford St, Syracuse, NY 13204. 10AM to 3 PM.
  • Johnson City Senior Center in Broome County – 30 Brocton St, Johnson City, NY 13790. 10 AM to 1 PM. 
  • Clinton County Fairgrounds in Clinton County – 84 Fair Grounds Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. 10 AM to 1 PM.
  • Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara County – 917 Garden & Richard Allen Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14302. 10 AM to 1 PM.

The OAG will be providing the following amount for firearms turned in on site at each event:

  • $500 per assault rifle or ghost gun
  • $150 per handgun ($500 will be given for the first handgun turned in per person)
  • $75 per rifle or shotgun
  • $25 per non-working, replica, antique, homemade, or 3D printed gun

The OAG accepts both working and non-working firearms, and there is no limit on the number of firearms an individual can turn in. The guns must be unloaded and placed in a bag or a box. This is an amnesty program, in which no questions will be asked about the person dropping off the gun. 

This statewide initiative is part of Attorney General James’ efforts to combat gun violence and protect people from harm. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 4,000 guns from New York communities since 2019.