REMARKS
Council Member Sandy Nurse's opening remarks on DOC contracting and Intro 825
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Council Member Sandy Nurse opens the joint hearing of the committees on Criminal Justice and Contracts, introducing the main topics: examining the Department of Corrections' contracting of jail services and discussing Introduction 825. She highlights concerns about the procurement process, issues with current contracts, and the problem of unclaimed commissary funds.
- Nurse emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and fair treatment of people in custody.
- She mentions specific issues with contracts, including the Keefe Group's commissary contract and Securus Technologies' phone contract.
- The councilmember introduces Intro 825, which aims to ensure detainees receive remaining commissary funds upon release.
Sandy Nurse
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Good morning.
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Thank you all for being here today.
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I'm council member Sandy Nurse, and I'm honored to convene this joint hearing with the committee on criminal justice and the chair of the committee on contracts, council member Julie Won.
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Today, we are here to examine the New York Department of Corrections Contracting of Jail Services with a focus on transparency, accountability, and a fair treatment of people in custody.
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We will also be discussing introduction number 825, legislation that seeks to ensure detainees receive the remaining funds in their commissary accounts upon release.
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The city's contracting process is meant to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and equitably.
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However, recent reports raise serious concerns about how DOC procures services for commissaries, phone systems, and tablets within our jail facilities.
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The reliance on emergency no bid and negotiated contracts, often with limited oversight, has reportedly led to inflated costs, service disruptions, and a lack of accountability from vendors.
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For example, the Keefe Group's commissary contract has been extended despite documented issues included inflating prices, missing or expired goods, and a rise in grievances from people in custody.
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Similarly, DOC's phone contract with Securus Technologies has faced scrutiny for privacy violations and cost concerns.
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Beyond these systemic procurement issues, we must also address the 1,000,000 in unclaimed commissary funds that remain in limbo, funds that rightfully belong to individuals who have been held pretrial without a conviction or who have paid their debt to society.
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Introduction number 825 aims to correct this by ensuring that funds are returned in cash at the time of release, preventing unnecessary delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
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So we look forward to hearing from you all and having a discussion.
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And now I will turn it over to chair 1 to give her opening remarks.