Board of Correction votes to ban
solitary confinement in NYC jails
BY DEAN MOSES
One day after families
mourned the loss of
loved ones who perished
in solitary confi nement, the New
York City Board of Correction—
an independent oversight board
for the City’s jail system—voted
to end the controversial form of
punishment within New York
City jails.
The vote banning the practice
of confi ning inmates to their cells
for 20-24 hours each day passed
unanimously Tuesday morning
and comes as a big win for
activists fi ghting for the rights of
incarcerated individuals.
“New York City is going
further than any jail system in
America to ban solitary confi nement
once and for all,”Mayor Bill
de Blasio said, commenting on
the vote. “Through our work with
our Board of Correction, we have
found a plan that will provide a
safe and humane environment for
those who are incarcerated and
offi cers alike.”
A disciplinary system will be
Candie, a former incarcerated individual states that the proposed “Risk Management
Accountability System” is solitary confinement by another name.
implemented in place of solitary
confi nement named the “Risk
Management Accountability System.”
This will serve as an alternative
two-level response model
to violent behavior and ensure
a minimum of 10 hours out of a
cell, socializing with at least one
other person, daily check-ins by
physical health and mental health
staff, individualized behavioral
support plans, and much more.
“This rule ends solitary confi
nement in the New York City jail
PHTOO BY DEAN MOSES
system once and for all, replacing
it with a system that balances
the need for safety in the jail and
the need to provide the care and
support to address behaviors for
all concerned. These reforms are
necessary for a safer and more
humane jail system, for people in
custody and staff,” said Board of
Correction Chair and CEO and
Executive Director of FPWA,
Jennifer Jones Austin.
Although an exact date of
when the new system will be
implemented is not currently
known, it is expected to go into
effect during the fall of 2021.
This fundamental change to the
New York City jails system comes
after years of advocacy from
family members, activists, and
the formerly incarcerated who
denounce solitary confi nement
for dehumanizing those behind
bars, which leads to rampant
abuse and suicide. It is hoped
this new measure can help turn
a corner on what will become a
more ethical prison system.
However, during a procession/
rally on June 7 advocates called
the “risk management accountability
system” a shift in name
and not procedure. They are demanding
a minimum of14-hours
of meaningful socialization, educational
programming, and other
development opportunities.
Statue City Cruises increases service to Statue of
Liberty, Ellis Island for the summer season
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
Those who wish to visit the Statue of
Liberty this summer can enjoy an
increased capacity ferry ride there.
Statue City Cruises, the offi cial and only
authorized concessioner for ferry service to
the Statue of Liberty National Monument
and Ellis Island on behalf of the National
Park Service, recently announced that additional
service and increased capacity this
summer with the reopening of the Liberty
State Park departure point. The cruise line
has also resumed its Ellis Island’s Hard Hat
Tours.
“This is the moment we have all been
waiting for, the light at the end of the
tunnel, as we prepare to welcome back
more locals and visitors to the Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island,” said Mike Burke,
COO of Concessions and Park Services for
City Experiences by Hornblower. “We are
continuing to take all the necessary precautions
to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKY
families, creating amazing, unforgettable
experiences for our guests.”
Statue City Cruises are beginning to
increase the number of departures by over
60% and expanding vessel capacity over
the next few weeks — 100% is expecting
to be reinstated before July 4. Between
9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. boats will depart
from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and
Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. Face
masks are required for the entire ride and
crews will continue to perform daily deep
cleanings of each vessel in use.
Tickets are $23.50 for adults, $18 for
seniors, $12 for children and free for kids
three years old and younger. Tickets include
self-guided audio tours on Liberty and Ellis
Island. Tickets are available at the Battery
Park and Liberty State Park box offi ces, but
it is highly encouraged to purchase tickets
online ahead of time.
For more information, visit www.cityexperiences.
com/new-york/city-cruises/
statue/.
Schneps Media June 10, 2021 5
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