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2023
2023
News Items
Statement on Death of Rubu Zhao
For immediate release: May 18, 2023
The Board of Correction ("BOC") is saddened to hear of Mr. Rubu Zhao's passing, which marks the second death in New York City Department of Correction ("DOC") custody in 2023. Mr. Zhao, 52, died on May 16, 2023, at approximately 11:51 pm at Elmhurst Hospital. Mr. Zhao had been in custody since December 14, 2022, and he was housed in the George R. Vierno Center leading up to his death. BOC expresses condolences to his family, friends, and community during this difficult time.
Moreover, BOC is investigating Mr. Zhao's death and will convene DOC and Correctional Health Services ("CHS"), together, to examine the circumstances surrounding his death. BOC will report its findings with recommendations to both agencies to prevent future tragedies. BOC remains committed to fulfilling its City Charter and legal mandates to investigate serious injuries, near deaths, and deaths, toward the end of addressing systemic issues that can contribute to such events.
Statement on Death in Custody This Past Weekend
For immediate release: February 7, 2023
The Board of Correction is deeply saddened by the death of Marvin Pines, marking the first death in New York City Department of Correction ("DOC") custody in 2023. Mr. Pines, 65, died on February 4, 2023, at approximately 6:18 am, following a medical emergency while in DOC custody. Mr. Pines had been in custody since August 3, 2022, and he was housed in the North Infirmary Command at the time of his death. Mr. Pines left behind his daughter, his girlfriend, and other loved ones. We express our condolences to his family, friends, and community during this difficult time.
The Board is investigating Mr. Pines' death and will convene the Department of Correction and Correctional Health Services ("CHS"), together, to examine the circumstances leading up to the death. We will report our findings with recommendations to both agencies to prevent future tragedies.
The Board of Correction remains dedicated to fulfilling its City Charter and legal mandates to investigate serious injuries, near deaths, and deaths, toward the end of addressing systemic issues that can lead to such events.
Download the Press Release Here
New Appointments
February 2, 2022
The New York City Council appointed Dr. Rachel Bedard and Deanna Hoskins as members of the New York City Board of Correction. Dr. Bedard will serve the remainder of an unexpired six-year term that ends on October 12, 2026 and Ms. Hoskins will serve a six-year term that expires on February 1, 2029.
Learn more about Dr. Rachael Bedard
Learn more about Deanna Hoskins
STATEMENT ON LOSS OF ACCESS TO JAIL VIDEO
For immediate release: January 18, 2023
The New York City Board of Correction (BOC) is a nine-person oversight board that regulates, monitors, and inspects the correctional facilities of the City. The Board of Correction has carried out critical independent oversight for the City of New York since 1957, despite being a relatively small agency with limited resources. Our staff are the Board's "eyes and ears" inside the jails, working to evaluate complaints, review incidents, and make recommendations for compliance with the Minimum Standards for confinement. The Board sets a baseline for what New York City must provide to people in custody in order to maintain humane jails.
The Department of Correction recently revoked the Board staff's access to independently view Genetec, the Body worn Camera System, and handheld video at any time, and forbade the recording and use of such video in our work.
The revocation of access to video at any time stands at odds with the New York City Charter. Under the NYC Charter the Board must have the right to:
- The inspection and visitation at any time of all institutions and facilities under the jurisdiction of the department
- The inspection of all books, records, documents, and papers of the Department for the evaluation of departmental performance.
- The board may compel the attendance of witnesses, require the production of books, accounts, papers and other evidence, administer oaths, examine persons, and conduct public or private hearings, studies and investigations. The board may institute proceedings in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to enforce its subpoena power and other authority pursuant to this section.
Therefore, the Board of Correction requests immediate and full restoration of access to and recording of Genetec, the Body worn Camera System, and handheld video.