News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2025

DOC AT 130 YEARS: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION RENAMES LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF LONGEST SERVING EMPLOYEE IN AGENCY HISTORY

The Late Edwin Felicien Served at the NYC Department of Correction for More Than 57 Years

EAST ELMHURST, NY — The NYC Department of Correction (DOC) will rename the law library at the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island in memory of the longest serving employee in the 130-year history of the agency.

The Edwin Felicien Law Library will honor the legendary Senior Program Specialist who worked for more than 57 years at NYC DOC. That’s nearly half of the agency’s entire existence.

“Edwin Felicien’s legacy is one that we can all learn from. He was a dedicated member of our Boldest family, a kind and generous person, and one of the true unsung heroes of this Department,” said NYC Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. “His work required tremendous attention to detail and ensured the agency’s accurate application of the law. It’s only fitting that we memorialize his incredible service to the city of New York, and to this Department, by naming one of our law libraries in his honor.”

Mr. Felicien was a jail time calculator whose job was to ensure that the time someone served was not more nor less than what was provided for in the law. His ability to decipher complex sentencing provisions, retrieve various records and determine factors like interstate reciprocity, made him a go-to resource for judges and others in the legal system.

Mr. Felicien started at the agency in 1960, initially seeking to become a Correction Officer before becoming a civilian clerk instead. He worked at DOC — both at what was then called the House of Detention for Men as well as Headquarters — until has passing in 2017.
In addition to his public service, Mr. Felicien was an experienced marathon runner.

In 1994, Felicien received the prestigious Sloan Public Service Award, which honors outstanding New York City civil servants. Upon receiving the award, he stated that he planned to give part of the $5,000 prize to charity.

In an interview about the award, Mr. Felicien was asked about what made his job rewarding.

“I had a positive letter from a prisoner,” he answered. “He said that in three years of trying, I was the only one who helped. He wanted to get out and turn his life around. I found him some time. You feel that one letter justifies everything.”

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.