News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2022

NYC Department of Correction continues improving safety and operations as it approaches one year of leadership under Commissioner Molina

East Elmhurst, NY – As we approach the conclusion of 2022, the New Year, and the first full year of the new mayoral administration & Commissioner Louis A. Molina’s leadership of the agency, the NYC Department of Correction is pleased to announce continued improvements to safety, security, and operations in DOC facilities. Key indicators are showing progress in staffing levels and a reduction in violence as we have striven during the past year to move this agency forward. While much work remains, we are seeing results.

Since the start of 2022, the Department has seen improvement in the below safety and security indicators:

Assaults on uniform staff that involved a use of force decreased by 28.4% through
December 29, 2022, compared to 2021.

Assaults on uniform staff without the use of force or serious injury decreased by 44.7%
through December 29, 2022, compared to 2021.

Use of force incidents are down 14.4% through December 29, 2022, compared to 2021.

So far this year, searches of all kinds have recovered over 5,000 weapons and over 1,300 drug contraband year-to-date, with the goal of making our city’s jails safer.

A major contributor of weapon and drug contraband seized were recovered because the
department restarted Tactical Search Operations (TSOs) at the end of February, which increased
the confiscation of weapons and drugs in the jails. Under the leadership of Commissioner
Molina, DOC has dramatically increased the use of TSOs to combat contraband—from 1 TSO in
CY 2021 to 86 and still counting in CY 2022. More weapons were recovered within the first
ten months of this administration than yearly totals for each calendar year between 2018-2021.

“We are proud of the work we have done over the past year and remain laser-focused on
reversing decades of neglect, investing in staff, and implementing common-sense reforms to
improve the jails. We are now seeing substantial results through our efforts,” said Correction
Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “The marked progress we are making is moving this agency
forward into becoming a safer and more humane place for all those in our care and who work
here and where operations are firmly rooted in only the best correctional practices. While there is
still a long way to go and we are mindful that longstanding issues which pre-date this
administration will take time to resolve, we are headed in the right direction.”

There have been improvements in many facets of jail operations, enhancing safety and security.

List of Improvements since the start of 2022:

Created an Office of Management Analysis and Planning to improve how the department
reports and uses data in its decision-making process.
Launched a public-facing data dashboard for transparency purposes so the public can
track our progress.
Assembled a new leadership team of dedicated, experienced, and committed
professionals.
Broke up gang-affiliated housing.
Over 3,500 uniform staff members have been trained and certified in how to utilize and
deploy Narcan.
At the start of the year, over 2,600 uniform staff were out sick. We averaged under
approximately 800 uniform staff out sick in November. This is an approximately 69%
decrease.
Due to improved staffing, we were able to resume in-person visitations earlier this year
and brought back external program providers. This includes faith-based programming,
like Pastor Tim Johnson who implemented his Fatherless No More initiative.
Launched our anti-violence action plan at RNDC in March 2022, which led to an 85%
decrease in slashing and stabbings as of November 2022.
315 windows in the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) were fabricated this year with
mesh coverings that prevent individuals from breaking plexiglass, keeping people in
custody and staff safe. More of these are in the process of being installed at the facility
housing young adults.
The commissioner reviewed and signed off on over 2,600 disciplinary cases to date this
year and significantly reducing a backlog of cases, more than any other recent
commissioner.
Implemented a modern commissary process to improve access to commissary items for
people in custody.
Launched a staff attendance tracking pilot program in RNDC and finalized the contract
for a modern staff scheduling system.
Resumed a partnership to facilitate off-island family visitation for children with justice
involved parents, and for the first time, the program was extended to include fathers.
We launched a brand-new tablet initiative for people in custody. This tablet initiative
includes a feature affording free phone calls through the tablet for people in custody,
which is a groundbreaking game-changer in terms of keeping people in custody
connected to their loved ones. A majority of our facilities now have access to tablets.

The department remains committed to creating a safer and more humane environment for all who
work and live in our jails.

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About the New York City Department of Correction

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.