News

Testimony before the

New York City Council

Committee on Criminal Justice

Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers

By

James Boyd, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Assurance and Compliance

NYC Department of Correction

September 23, 2026

     Good morning, Chair Brooks-Powers and members of the Committee on Criminal Justice. My name is James Boyd, and I am the Deputy Commissioner of Quality Assurance and Compliance at the New York City Department of Correction (“the Department” or “DOC”). I am joining you in a new role overseeing a new portfolio of work, which includes Health Affairs. My colleagues and I thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic and share how the Department facilitates access to mental health care within the jails.

Access to Mental Health Care in NYC Jails

     New York City jails exist within a continuum of support, intervention, and care that is shared between many stakeholders and partners. Our responsibility to the people in our care includes making sure they receive access to medical and mental health treatment they need to support their well-being while in our care. That responsibility is central to building a safer, more humane jail system, which is why the Administration has been laser focused on strengthening access to mental health services for people in our city’s jails. Our partners at Correctional Health Services (“CHS”) bring the clinical expertise, and our dedicated staff makes access possible by escorting people to the clinic, transporting them to outside appointments, and supporting the safe delivery of care within clinical spaces. In addition, DOC coordinates with CHS to ensure the smooth operation of safe and inclusive housing options to meet a wide spectrum of mental health needs, and all uniformed staff receive training to help them better understand and engage with individuals who have mental health needs, while keeping them safe. 

     That important work requires daily coordination from all levels of both agencies. Behind each appointment is a person whose health matters, and our collective work must be measured by whether that person   receives the care they need. The Department will continue prioritizing various modernization projects, including the Clinic Production Dashboard, to improve processes and make this work more efficient.

Proposed Legislation

    The legislation before the Committee speaks to that same responsibility.
 
     Intro. 133 concerns people whose safety and dignity require our sustained attention. We value the Task Force’s contributions, and the experience that advocates and community partners bring to improving the treatment and housing of transgender, gender-nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex people in our care. The feedback and collaboration that has been borne out of these meetings has resulted in meaningful changes to practices within the jails. We want that collaboration to remain strong and look forward to further conversation. 

     Intro. 453 recognizes that incarceration also affects children and families. A child visiting a parent deserves to feel welcomed, supported, and safe. The Department has worked diligently over the past few years to build on our family-centered visiting initiatives and has worked with partners whose expertise has helped children and families receive targeted support and attention, so that visitation is meaningful and relationships remain intact. While we agree that children should have access to mental health services should they need it, we do not believe that the Department is the best agency to offer those services or to make referrals to such services.
 
     Intro. 809 addresses access to care during emergency lock-ins. Protecting people from immediate harm and meeting their healthcare needs are both essential responsibilities. In recognition of this, the Department does continue to escort individuals to medical appointments during emergency lock-ins when it is safe to do so, and coordinates closely with CHS to address any clinic encounters that may have been missed as a result of a lock-in, often as soon as the same day. We look forward to working with CHS and Council to address any remaining gaps, to ensure that people continue to have access to the services they need.

Conclusion

     This Administration is committed to an approach that puts community safety at the center of all of our work. That means we share a responsibility to ensure people in our city’s jails have access to vital services that support their dignity, safety, and health, and to work in partnership with all stakeholders along the continuum—from upstream diversion efforts to post-release community-based care—to work towards better outcomes. As we often say, there is more work ahead of us. We are eager to build on improvements that are already underway, and are working in close coordination with the Remediation Manger and Federal Monitor and their respective teams to ensure that they are part of the process as we move forward. Thank you again for inviting us to discuss these important matters. We welcome any questions you have at this time.