QUESTION
How is the NYC Department of Correction addressing the impact of recent budget cuts on its programming and staff?
2:58:12
·
5 min
The NYC Department of Correction discusses the impact of recent budget cuts on programming and staff, outlining efforts to mitigate these effects and plans for the future.
- The department reveals a significant reduction in program participation rates following a $17 million budget cut.
- Plans to reinvest $14 million to counteract the cuts and improve programming, though the breakdown between outsourcing and insourcing remains unclear.
- A loss of 15 staff members within the programs and community partnerships division hindered service provision.
- Initiatives to onboard new counseling staff since January 2024 and collaboration with community-based organizations and educational institutions are in progress.
- Efforts to maintain service provision include workforce development, partnerships, and volunteer engagement in enrichment programming.
Sandy Nurse
2:58:12
So you have somewhat over 200 people, including the academy staff and officers to do ongoing training for workforce development and new classes, what I'm understanding.
Jeremiah Johnson
2:58:26
About so likely those numbers also include non uniform staff that are involved in supporting the operations of the training and development division and not just the instructors.
Sandy Nurse
2:58:37
Okay.
2:58:39
I'm going to turn to programming.
2:58:41
I think that's like the biggest thing that we'd love to dive into.
2:58:45
We talked about the cut last year, 17,000,000 an abrupt, disruptive cut to many of these service providers, including to, you know, green help services for women, SEO family services, fortune society, horticulture society, New York, Osborne Association, you know, the council was very vocal about the concern that DOC would not be able to meet the level of programming and engagement and participation rates that these providers who have credible messengers who are rooted in community and are able to provide continuity of care and engagement between you know, at the island and back in community.
2:59:28
And then the 2024 PMMR showed that participation rates of individuals in custody participating in this is is 30% lower.
2:59:41
And that participation in group programming is down 29%, and participation in one on one sessions is down by 30%.
2:59:49
So I understand that you are now bringing back 14,000,000, although that's not the full restoration, but it's unclear to me what is going to be outsourced and what is going to be in sourced based on what you broke down earlier.
3:00:04
So I'll start there.
3:00:05
Just to get an under like, some clarity on that piece.
Francis Torres
3:00:12
Thank you.
3:00:13
Madam chair.
3:00:15
I am glad you posed that question to us.
3:00:19
When we were here last, And as we transition into insourcing, we had the similar or equal amount of staffing to actually inherit in sourcing.
3:00:33
And in fact, we were doing very well.
3:00:36
Up until approximately September of 2023.
3:00:41
There were certain things that happened within the division of programs and community partnerships.
3:00:47
Specifically the fact that due to multiple reasons, we lost 15 members.
3:00:56
Those 15 members are assigned to counseling.
3:01:00
Some of the reasons for those losses were long term absence We also had some staff members within the counseling unit that transitioned into new roles within the division or other divisions within the department.
3:01:22
The onboarding process of new staff members was also becoming a challenge for us.
3:01:31
Not to mention the continuous increase of the population.
3:01:37
That is what justifies that 29%, as well as the 30%.
3:01:44
However, since January of 2024, we've been able to start onboarding new staff members specifically for our counseling services unit which will continue to do the one on one and the growth facilitation.
3:02:03
When we look at the next or the new $14,000,000, we're looking at community based organizations and or institutions of higher learning.
3:02:16
And I say that because there is one of the new needs that targets educational programming.
3:02:24
And so I also want to establish that There has been continuing provision of services not just by the DOC staff, counseling unit, but also by other DOC staff members assigned to the division of programs.
3:02:43
If I can give you just a few examples,
Sandy Nurse
3:02:46
briefly, please.
Juanita Holmes
3:02:46
Alright.
3:02:47
Here we go.
Francis Torres
3:02:48
Workforce Development through different partnerships.
3:02:52
Our flying and performing arts our enhanced recreation staff.
3:02:57
The marketing providers that continue to do transition at very specific facilities, not to mention volunteers and the other body of subcontracted providers that target enrichment programming.
3:03:14
Thank you.
3:03:15
So I'm