New York City Department of Correction

New York City Department of Correction
Shield of the New York City Department of Correction
Flag of the New York City Department of Correction
Abbreviation	NYCD
Motto	New York's Boldest
Agency overview
Formed	1895
Employees	9,650
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	City of New York, United States
Map of New York City Department of Correction's jurisdiction
Legal jurisdiction	New York State
Constituting instrument	New York City Charter
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	East Elmhurst, Queens
Correction Officers	8,563
Commissioner responsible	Vincent Schiraldi
Agency executive	Kenneth Stukes, Chief of Department
Website
Official Site

The New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC) is the branch of the municipal government of New York City^[1] responsible for the custody, control, and care of New York City's imprisoned population, housing the majority of them on Rikers Island.^[2] It employs 8,563 uniformed officers and 1,400 civilian staff, has 543 vehicles,^[3] and processes over 100,000 new inmates every year,^[4] retaining a population of inmates of between 3,000 and 6,000.^[3] Its nickname is New York's Boldest.^[4] Its regulations are compiled in title 39 of the New York City Rules.

Previously located in Manhattan, the Department of Correction headquarters is now located in the Bulova building in East Elmhurst, Queens,^[5][6] close to Rikers Island. The agency is headed by the Correction Commissioner, who is chosen and appointed by the Mayor of New York City.

History[]

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.^[2] 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.^[2]

Historians^[who?] have not described the prison system of New York in the 19th century in a favorable light - with employment positions being awarded based on the spoils system and employees being characterized as largely corrupt. The Blackwell's Island penitentiary is described as having lax security, where prisoners were able to escape if they knew how to swim.^[7]

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).^[8] 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.^[4]

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.^[9] 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.

Responsibilities[]

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.^[10]

Command structure[]

There are nine titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Department of Correction.

From highest to lowest, the uniformed ranks are:

Title	Insignia
Chief of Department
Bureau Chief / Deputy Chief
Assistant Chief / Supervising Warden
Warden
Deputy Warden in Command
Deputy Warden / Facility Administrative Chaplain
Assistant Deputy Warden / Chaplain
Captain
Correction Officer/Correction Officer Investigator

There are certain civilian leadership positions in the agency which have power equivalent to the high ranking uniformed personnel. If they outrank a present uniformed officer, they are saluted due to agency customs and courtesies.

From highest to lowest, the civilian leadership ranks are:

Title	Insignia
Commissioner
First Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
Associate Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner

The Commissioner is the highest ranking official in the agency and is in command of all uniformed and civilian personnel.

Equipment and vehicles[]

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. For officers hired before March 1994, the model 10 & 64 revolvers are still used. Correction officers must be authorized by a chief and warden before they can carry off duty. Officers' options include their duty firearm and or Glock 26 for off duty use.^[11]

Firetruck

The department uses numerous marked vehicles including Chevrolet Impalas, Ford vans, transport buses, firetrucks, and riot vehicles.^[12][13]

Employee benefits[]

In 2018, the total salary for a correctional officer, including benefits, ranged from $46,261 to $99,073 (depending on years of service). Benefits include a uniform allowance, holiday pay, night shift compensation, longevity pay, paid sick days, paid vacation days, paid holidays, medical and dental compensation, and pension benefits. Officers also have an opportunity to work overtime.^[14]

Facilities[]

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.^[15] 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.^[16]

Notable employees[]

• 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.
• Anna M. Kross Commissioner from 1953-1966. 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.
• Leo C. Zeferetti Former US Congressman
• Anthony S. Seminerio Former State Assemblyman
• Bernard Kerik, Served in the NYCDOC from 1994-2001, Kerik became Correction Commissioner after retiring from the NYPD as a detective.
• Soul singer Sharon Jones served as a corrections officer at Rikers Island.^[17]

See also[]

• Corrections
• List of jail facilities in New York City
• List of law enforcement agencies in New York
• New York City Board of Correction
• New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
• New York City Department of Probation
• Roosevelt Island

References[]

External links[]

• Official Website
• Department of Correction in the Rules of the City of New York