2017

News Items

BOC Executive Director Martha King Presents at National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Regional Meeting

On November 30, 2017, BOC Executive Director Martha W. King presented at the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE)’s regional meeting.  ED King participated in a panel on ‘Segregation in Jails and Prisons: Effects on Vulnerable Communities” and discussed the ongoing experience of punitive segregation reform in New York City. She was joined on the panel by Lisa Calderon (Executive Director, Denver Community Reentry Project), Rudy Reyes (Community Member), and Cathleen Beltz (Assistant Inspector General, LA Office of the Inspector General). 

In 2015, the Board of Correction passed regulations prohibiting the use of punitive segregation for 16-21 year olds and people with serious mental or physical disability and placing limits on the number of consecutive and overall days that the Department of Correction can place an eligible person in punitive segregation.  At the conference, ED King also shared the Board’s Resource Guide on Restrictive Housing Jails and Prisons

BOC Staff Attend Annual Conference of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE)

Deputy Executive Director of Research Emily Turner and Standards Specialist Shaquana Pearson attended this year’s annual conference of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). Ms. Pearson was selected to receive NACOLE’s Membership Scholarship Award. The 22nd annual conference’s theme was “Civilian Oversight in a Changing Landscape.” The conference was held September 10-14, 2017. The conference included a day-long track on civilian oversight of correctional institutions, including panels on challenges to oversight of women in prisons and oversight of mental health and segregation.

BOC Recognizes National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 7-13, 2017)

The Board recognizes the uniform and civilian staff of the Department of Correction. DOC staff are serious and essential partners in the work to advance improvement and change toward smaller, safer, fairer, and more humane jails. DOC staff members perform a critical public service in often challenging conditions. We take this opportunity to thank the DOC staff for their hard work, creativity, patience, and commitment to improving the jails and our City.

BOC Advocates for NYS Body Scanner Legislation

On April 24, 2017, BOC Acting Chair Derrick D. Cephas and Executive Director Martha W. King sent letters to Senate and Assembly leaders to express support for legislation A6838/S5337 that would allow for the targeted use of body scanners in the NYC jails.  Cephas and King write: “The use of these body scanners in the City’s jails is one critical tool among the several anti-violence strategies that are needed in the jails. The use of these scanners would provide an increased measure of safety to people working in the jails and to people in custody therein.

BOC Receives Emergency Variance Request re OBCC

On April 7, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency variance request from the Department of Correction. The Department requests an emergency variance through April 9, effective immediately, from Minimum Standards 1-03 (Personal Hygiene), 1-05 (Lock-In), 1-06 (Access to Recreation), 1-07 (Access to Religion), 1-08(f) (Access to Courts and Legal Services, regarding access to law library only), 1-09 (Visiting), and 1-10 (Telephone).
The Department requests the variance to continue a facilty-wide lockdown of the Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC). On April 7, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency declaration from the Department.

BOC Receives Emergency Variance Request and Declaration re Manhattan Detention Complex (Update: March 27, 2017)

On March 24, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency variance request from the Department of Correction.  The Department requests an emergency variance for three days, effective immediately, from Minimum Standards 1-03 (Personal Hygiene), 1-05 (Lock-In), 1-06 (Access to Recreation), 1-07 (Access to Religion), 1-08(f) (Access to Courts and Legal Services, regarding access to law library only), and 1-09 (Visiting). The Department requests the variance to continue a facilty-wide lockdwon of the Manhattan Detention Complex (MDC). On March 24, 25 and 26, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency declaration from the Department.

BOC Receives Emergency Variance Request and Declaration re Brooklyn Detention Complex (Update: March 27, 2017)

On March 23, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency declaration and emergency variance request from the Department of Correction. The Department requests an emergency variance for five days, effective immediately, from Minimum Standards 1-03 (Personal Hygiene), 1-05 (Lock-In), 1-06 (Access to Recreation), 1-07 (Access to Religion), 1-08(f) (Access to Courts and Legal Services, regarding access to law library only), and 1-09 (Visiting). The Department requests the variance to continue a facility-wide lockdown of Brooklyn Detention Complex (BKDC) that commenced on March 22, 2017.

On March 24, 25, and 26, 2017, the Board of Correction received emergency declarations from the Department of Correction.

BOC Executive Director Martha W. King Provides Testimony to City Council

On March 9, 2017, the Board’s Executive Director Martha W. King provided testimony to the City Council’s Finance and Fire & Criminal Justice Services. She was joined by the Board’s Acting Vice-Chair, Stanley Richards. Read ED King’s written statement.

NYC Department of Correction and NYC Health + Hospitals to Develop a Joint Action Plan on Health and Mental Health Services Access

On February 14, 2017, the NYC Department of Correction and NYC Health + Hospital's Correctional Health Service announced at the Board's public meeting that the agencies would work together to develop an action plan to address access to health and mental health services in the City's jail system. Since April 2016, the Board has required a monthly public data report and presentation on these issues. The agencies reported that data collection is key and that any decision on workflow changes should begin with what they know about the current state of services. The plan will include shared findings, planned reforms, timelines, and a plan for measurement of progress and accountability. The Board anticipates the agencies will provide their action plan at the Board's May public meeting.

Board of Correction Welcomes Newest Member James Perrino

On February 14, 2017, the NYC Board of Correction welcomed James Perrino as its newest member, by appointment of Mayor Bill de Blasio. Member Perrino worked at the New York City Department of Correction for 27 years. Perrino was a leader in the adolescent reforms made by DOC in recent years. Most recently, Perrino served as the Director of Correction Services and Standards where he collaborated with facility wardens, uniform, and non-uniform staff to support youthful offender program operations, supported the agency's initiatives for promoting safety and reducing recidivism, assisted staff with youthful offender programs at various facilities, and assisted with the development of the alternatives to punitive segregation for 18-21 year olds. Previously, Perrino worked in several different DOC facilities, working as an assistant chief, warden, deputy warden, assistant deputy warden, and captain. As Assistant Chief, Perrino's work included managing the operations of the Robert N. Davoren, Eric M. Taylor, and Rose M. Singer Centers. As warden, Perrino collaborated with multidisciplinary staff including, but not limited to, medical, education and clinical staff to ensure the needs and best practices for treatment of inmates were met. Perrino has received several awards for his city service, including Warden of the Year and the Janice Jackson Humanitarian Award.

BOC Issues Notice of Violation of Minimum Standards to DOC re ESH for 19-21 Year Olds

On January 20, 2017, the NYC Board of Correction sent the NYC Department of Correction a  Notice of Violation of Minimum Standards. These violations are a result of the Department's continued housing of 19-21 year olds in Enhanced Supervision Housing.

BOC Receives Emergency Variance Request and Declarations re 19-21 Year Olds in ESH (Updated: January 23, 2017)

On January 13, 2017, the Board of Correction received an emergency variance request from the Department of Correction. The Department requests a variance from 1-16(c)(1)(ii) in order to house 19-21 year olds in Enhanced Supervision Housing (ESH) (a variance, active until April 11, 2017, allows the Department to house 18 year olds in ESH).

The Board of Correction received declarations of an emergency variance from the Department of Correction on January 11, January 12, January 13, January 14, January 15, January 16, January 17, January 19, January 20, and January 22.  The Department declares a variance from 1-16(c)(1)(ii) as it applies to 19 to 21 year olds in ESH. 

On January 13, 2017, the Board received letters regarding the variance declaration from NYC Jails Action Coalition, Legal Aid Society Prisoners' Rights Project, and Brooklyn Defender Services.