 |
|
|  MAYOR BLOOMBERG HAILS
SAFEST JAILS EVER IN STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Just minutes into his address, citing record lows in traffic deaths, fire fatalities, homicides and "historic lows in jail violence," Mayor Bloomberg said "In 2007, we made the safest big city in the nation safer than it has been in generations." The Mayor's reference was to the Department of Correction's year-end announcement that violence in the jails--as measured by inmate slashings and stabbings and several other categories--was at its lowest in 2007 since the Department began keeping precise data in 1995, and that there were just 19 slashings or stabbings in 2007 compared to 44 in 2006 and more than 1,000 in 1995. Later in his speech, Mayor Bloomberg pointed to some of the efforts the Department is making to help those in its custody to better prepare to return to the community and live productive and law-abiding lives--including initiatives to expand education and discharge planning programs in the city's jails. He told the State of the City audience "...Let's face up to the hard fact: too many of today's young fathers have run afoul of the law. They face an uphill battle in getting their lives back on track--but if they don't, their children will suffer most. That's why this year, we will build more classrooms at Rikers Island and make going to school there more attractive. And to keep inmates on the right path once they leave, we will link them to benefits they need immediately upon release. They've paid their debt--but with no prospects, sadly, too many of them will return to jail. Let's help them build their future--which will help keep all of us safe." Following the Mayor's remarks, Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn wrote to all Department employees. "It made me proud of every one of you to listen to the Mayor's words about the importance of our work and our excellence in doing it...Whatever your role in the Department of Correction, you are making a contribution to a wonderful team effort and a function that Mayor Bloomberg knows is critical to the wellbeing of our city." Commissioner Horn said "Our Mayor clearly understands that helping people convicted of crimes to get out and stay out of jail, and to live their lives within the law is the next frontier in keeping New York the safest large city in America." The entire text of the Mayor's 2008 State of the City address is available here. |  |
 |
 |
|