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.
