New York City Department of Correction

New York City government agency

The New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC) is the branch of the municipal government of New York City responsible for the custody, control, and care of New York City's imprisoned population, housing the majority of them on Rikers Island. has 543 vehicles, and processes over 100,000 new inmates every year, Its nickname is New York's Boldest. close to Rikers Island. The agency is headed by the Correction Commissioner, who is chosen and appointed by the Mayor of New York City.

The New York City Department of Correction was first founded as a separate entity in New York City in 1895 after a split from the Department of Public Charities and Correction. Roosevelt Island, then called Blackwell's Island, was the main penal institution under the jurisdiction of the DOC until the 1930s when it was closed. The penal institutions moved to Rikers Island, which the city purchased for $180,000, where 10 prisons and 6,000 inmates are now held. In 1995, the New York City jail system was one of the most violent in the United States, averaging more than 100 stabbings and slashings per month. Between January 1995 and January 2002, the department achieved a 93% reduction in inmate on inmate violence as a result of a management system recognized by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, called Total Efficiency Accountability Management System (TEAMS). By 2007, the number of stabbings was reduced to 19, making that year the Department of Correction's safest on record, although the issue of underreporting of incidents has not been addressed. In 2009, former commissioner of both the Missouri and Arizona prison systems Dora Schriro was selected to head the department, with some citing a need in the department for a boost in morale. Schriro was named in several federal court cases such as Schriro v. Smith and Schriro v. Summerlin. Schriro served with the United States Department of Homeland Security prior to coming to the department.

Correction officers are responsible for the care, control, custody, work performance and job training of inmates. Duties include:
Inspecting facilities for safety and security, and safeguarding supplies and equipment. Supervising meals, recreation, and visitors. Maintaining logs. Interacting with inmates, and recommending medical and/or psychiatric referrals. Escorting and transporting inmates within and outside of the facility.

Correction officers are trained in the use of a firearm, but are only armed on certain post assignments due to the potential threat of prisoners overpowering an officer. On duty firearm is provided (Smith & Wesson 5946 DAO) however should the member elect there is a list of authorized firearms such as Glock pistol. For officers hired before March 1994, the model 10 & 64 revolvers are still used. Correction officers are New York State Peace Officers with authority to make warrantless arrests, issue summonses, carry and use a firearm & can optionally carry a firearm off duty after 6 month service & written permission from Commanding officer. Officers' options include their duty firearm or Glock 26 for off duty use.

The department uses numerous marked vehicles including Chevrolet Impalas, Ford vans, transport buses, fire trucks, and riot vehicles. They share the distinctive NYC Law Enforcement colour scheme of blue and white, with the NYCD patch, red white blue/yellow (rear) flashing lights and sirens.

Rikers Island is the main correctional facility. Horizon Juvenile Center serves as the juvenile facility. The final juvenile inmates on Rikers Island were moved to Horizon in 2018. The move was prompted by a law passed by New York state in 2017 requiring that juvenile inmates under 18 be housed separately from adults.

Sharon Jones, served as a corrections officer at Rikers Island. Bernard Kerik, served in the NYCDOC from 1994 to 2001. Kerik became Correction Commissioner after retiring from the NYPD as a detective. Anna M. Kross, Commissioner from 1953 to 1966. Developed the NYC Corrections R&D arm to research recidivism methods. She campaigned for legislation to treat addicts and alcoholics as people with medical rather than criminal conditions. Second woman to hold the position. Mickey Marcus, Commissioner in 1940 Would go on to serve in World War II with the United States Army and later join the Israeli Defense Force and be instrumental in leading their forces during that country's independence movement. Anthony S. Seminerio, former NY state assemblyman
Leo C. Zeferetti, former US Congressman