PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Natalie Fiorenzo, Correction Specialist at New York County Defender Services
2:41:29
·
3 min
Natalie Fiorenzo, a correction specialist at New York County Defender Services and member of the TGNCNBI task force, testified on several proposed bills aimed at improving conditions for individuals in DOC custody. She emphasized the urgent need for changes to protect TGNCNBI individuals and improve visitation processes at Rikers Island.
- Strongly supported Intro 625 and Intro 152 to address safety concerns for TGNCNBI individuals in custody
- Advocated for Intro 206 to allow detainees to carry Narcan, potentially saving lives from overdoses
- Highlighted issues with current visitation procedures and supported Intros 1023 and 1026
- Expressed concern about mental health care in custody, supporting Intro 1036 to address long wait times for forensic hospital transfers
Natalie Fiorenzo
2:41:29
Hi.
2:41:29
Good afternoon.
2:41:32
I'm gonna scoot up.
2:41:33
My name is Natalie Fiorenzo.
2:41:35
I'm a correction specialist at New York County Defender Services, as well as a member of the TGNC NBI task force.
2:41:42
I'm grateful to be speaking at the hearing today regarding an abundance of proposed legislation that would target the needs of our clients in DOC custody.
2:41:49
Written testimony from NYCDS will discuss our position on each bill, but I would like to highlight a few specifically today.
2:41:56
Intros 6 25 is a powerfully, thoughtfully drafted bill.
2:42:00
That in conjunction with intro152 will make life saving changes to the experience of TGNCNBI persons in custody.
2:42:08
I reported to this exact committee over a year ago that 100% of my TGNC NBI clients that are not housed in a gender line facility, experience physical violence, sexual violence, or both.
2:42:22
I'm here to say, unfortunately, that that has not changed.
2:42:26
When someone from such a vulnerable population says that they are not safe, they are not safe.
2:42:33
It is high time that our own consider that their own considerations and needs be taken into account above the cryptic unfounded security concerns of DOC staff.
2:42:44
As has been mentioned in front of this council before, moving a cisgender woman to a male facility due to her charges or an incident in custody is unfathomable.
2:42:54
The fact that this punishment exists for transgender women is transphobic and illegal, per the New York City and state's own human rights laws.
2:43:03
With the passage of 152, this task force hopes to have a stronger ability to collect data and information from a very reluctant Department of Correction and effectuate legislation like 625 for the TGNCNBI population at Rykers.
2:43:16
I have some briefer comments on other pieces of proposed legislation here today.
2:43:20
On intro 206, I testified about the need for detainees to carry an alarm zone in front of the board in January of this year.
2:43:27
As was mentioned earlier today, detainees are often our first responders, springing into action before an officer does.
2:43:34
Overdoses were the leading cause of death, in jails in 20222023, and this bill undoubtedly will save lives.
2:43:42
For intro 10231026, they both target the family visit experience, the current procedure to visit a loved one on right is dehumanizing, exhausting, and frankly dangerous as it forces families to wait outside for hours unprotected from heat and cold.
2:43:57
I'd be interested to know if the 4.5 hour figure begins when someone enters the line, or when they are actually processed for their visit because I think that that would probably double if it's when they arrive on the island.
2:44:07
These bills are great to start, but missing some crucial components that NYCDS would welcome the opportunity to discuss further with the council.
2:44:13
And lastly, intro 1036.
2:44:16
Rikers Island is the largest mental health institution in New York City and one of the largest in the world, but it shouldn't be.
2:44:23
They are not equipped and they are not trained to operate as a hospital.
2:44:27
For our clients who are found unfit, The current wait time to be transferred to a forensic hospital and receive the care they need is 4 to 6 months.
2:44:35
The decompensation that happens in that 4 to 6 months would shock each and every one of you.
2:44:42
Thank you for council member nurse to shine a light on that with intro 1036, and that is more than my time.
2:44:47
So thank you.
Sandy Nurse
2:44:47
Thank you.
