Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has enacted an emergency executive order to suspend certain aspects of a newly implemented law aimed at limiting solitary confinement in city jails. He argues that these limitations could increase risks to both correctional officers and inmates.
The law, which started on Sunday, was designed to place a four-hour cap on the duration that inmates deemed as safety risks could be held in “de-escalation confinement,” as well as to restrict the use of restraints on inmates during court transport or within jail facilities.
“It is critical to safeguard the health and safety of all individuals in the care of the Department of Correction, as well as all staff members and individuals working within New York City’s jails who transport these individuals to court and other facilities, along with the general public,” the mayor stated in his order.
He further indicated that “adhering to many of the stipulations … such as moving individuals to court without restraints, would necessitate a substantial increase in staffing and resources, which are currently unavailable.”
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A solitary confinement cell at New York’s Rikers Island jail. On Saturday, New York City’s mayor issued an emergency order to suspend parts of a new law aimed at banning solitary confinement in local jails, citing safety concerns for staff and detainees.
(AP/Bebeto Matthews)
Additionally, Adams suspended a clause of the law that restricted jail officials from placing inmates in longer-term “restrictive housing” for more than 60 days total in any given 12-month period. Under his order, officials must reevaluate a prisoner’s placement in such housing every 15 days.
The law was passed by the New York City Council in December of last year. Mayor Adams had initially vetoed it, but the Council overrode his veto the following month.
“Every day, Mayor Adams’ Administration demonstrates a lack of respect for the laws and democracy, setting more hypocritical double standards that leave New Yorkers worse off. In this instance, our city, along with everyone trapped in its ineffective and hazardous jail system, including staff, finds itself less safe,” stated City Council spokesperson Shirley Limongi to The Associated Press following Adams’ order.
“The fact is that the law already had extensive safety exemptions, rendering this ‘emergency order’ unnecessary and showcasing Mayor Adams’ excessive use of executive orders without clear justification,” she added.
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams conducts a press conference at City Hall in June (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
The legislation was introduced by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who contended that solitary confinement constitutes torture for those subjected to prolonged isolation in small jail cells, according to the AP.
Williams and other advocates of the new law, including significant members of New York’s congressional delegation, emphasized research indicating that solitary confinement, even for a few days, raises the risk of inmate suicide, violence, or overdose. Such isolation can also trigger severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, and other impairments that may hinder an inmate’s reintegration into society post-release, they explained.
A security fence surrounding the housing units at New York’s Rikers Island correctional facility. (AP/Bebeto Matthews)
The labor union that represents the city’s jail guards voiced opposition to the legislation at the time, arguing that it would complicate efforts to ensure the safety of jail staff against violent detainees.
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The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association reported that, even under previous punitive segregation regulations, there were over 6,000 incidents of detainees assaulting jail guards in the past three years, including 50 instances of sexual assault.
Fox News’ Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
