The city’s Department of Correction opened de-escalation units in Rikers Island as an alternative to solitary confinement, but they have been underutilized and mostly empty. The failure to use these units effectively highlights broader issues with implementing reforms in the jail system, leading advocates to call for a third-party receiver to oversee city lockups. The mayor’s emergency declaration blocking key components of a new law limiting solitary confinement has caused backlash, with advocates pushing for the law to be enforced despite the mayor’s actions. The population on Rikers Island has increased, creating a need for additional space and raising concerns about the treatment of detainees.
In July 2022, the Department of Correction in the city opened specialized “de-escalation units” in nearly all facilities on Rikers Island. These units were intended to be a safer alternative to solitary confinement for detainees involved in fights or incidents. The plan was for individuals in these units to receive counseling and be housed in individual cells for only a few hours, rather than the 22 hours of isolation in solitary confinement. The detainees were also to be closely monitored by correction staff every 15 minutes.
However, a recent report by a federal monitor revealed that these de-escalation units have not been utilized effectively and are mostly empty. Instead, some detainees are being sent back to intake areas where they may remain without a bed for days. Others are simply relocated to different housing units away from those they had conflicts with. This misuse of de-escalation cells has raised concerns among advocates for incarcerated individuals, who see it as a failure to address long-standing issues within the city’s jails.
The failure to properly utilize the de-escalation units has also raised questions about the Mayor’s approach to implementing reforms to limit the use of solitary confinement. Mayor Eric Adams’ emergency declaration blocking key components of a new law aimed at restricting solitary confinement has sparked anger among advocates. They believe that the administration has not made significant efforts to implement necessary reforms, including the proper use of de-escalation units.
Kayla Simpson, a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, has criticized the Department of Correction for abandoning the de-escalation cells, further highlighting the dysfunction within the city’s correctional system. Simpson and other advocates are pushing for a federal judge to appoint a third-party receiver to oversee the city’s lockups, citing the department’s failure to implement comprehensive reforms.
The misuse of de-escalation units has also been attributed to poor design and operational issues. Some units were located far from medical clinics within the facilities, making it challenging for staff to provide necessary care to detainees. Additionally, the extensive paperwork required when placing individuals in these units has been a logistical burden for correction officers.
The intake areas at Rikers have been used not only for housing new detainees but also for individuals considered problematic. Some detainees end up in these areas for extended periods without proper accommodations. While efforts have been made to improve monitoring and safety in intake areas, there are still unresolved issues, such as delays in registering detainees in the system and lack of oversight in managing detainee movement.
The increase in the jail population since Mayor Adams took office has added pressure on the system, leading to a need for additional space. The City Council is considering legal action to ensure the implementation of the solitary confinement ban despite the Mayor’s emergency declaration. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has emphasized the importance of upholding the law to improve safety for both inmates and staff in city jails.
In conclusion, the mishandling of de-escalation units, along with ongoing challenges in the intake areas and the failure to implement necessary reforms, point to systemic issues within the city’s correctional system. Addressing these issues will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals and staff in city jails.
Source: TheCity.NYC
