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Q&A
Discussion on drug screening and prevention measures at Rikers Island
1:25:38
ยท
3 min
Council Member Sandy Nurse inquires about measures to prevent drug entry into Rikers Island and the implementation of DOI recommendations. James Conroy from DOC explains recent improvements in drug detection technology and ongoing efforts to enhance security.
- DOC has purchased new narcotics scanning devices with up to 90% accuracy, replacing less accurate field tests.
- The department is working closely with DOI to implement recommended procedures for preventing drug entry.
- A joint study with DOI is planned to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of the new scanning devices.
- The issue of contraband entering jails is described as an ongoing challenge that requires constant attention and updating of security measures.
Sandy Nurse
1:25:38
Okay.
1:25:40
I have a question here about drug use, and how drugs are getting into Rikers.
1:25:46
The recently issued RFP for substance misuse treatment describes rampant substance misuse and the pervasive presence of drugs in the jails, which clearly makes everyone there less safe.
1:25:58
The previous commissioner claimed that Fentanyl was flooding Rikers because it was coming through the mail.
1:26:05
However, the DUI recently issued a report showing that these drug tests were flawed and inaccurate in 85% of cases.
1:26:13
DUI also issued a number of recommendations to prevent DOC staff from bringing in drugs.
1:26:18
Which of these recommendations have been implemented or not implemented and and why?
James Conroy
1:26:24
So I don't I mean, because we were focused on contracts, I don't have the d I DOI reports, but I just happen to know because I did work on some of them.
1:26:32
I can't state specifically with the recommendations, but we have worked closely with DOI regarding implementation of some of those procedures.
1:26:40
One of the things in particular that we saw, with respect to the field test and the previous testimony, from the commissioner was that we've since purchased, more I don't know what you call them, I'm sorry, but narcotics scanning devices that are up to 90% accurate versus the field tests, which were relatively not as accurate.
1:27:02
So in addition to that, that's located in the mail trailer to kind of identify, these drugs that come in.
1:27:09
So we're using these more robustly, and they have a more accurate testing measure.
1:27:14
The the issue of scanning and and preventing the contraband from coming into jails is a consistent issue that our you know, we have a relatively new, security commissioner and a senior deputy commissioner that are looking into these measures and procedures consistently.
1:27:29
So we're it's a nonstop issue of having to best address security in the jails.
1:27:34
But again, on on both of those DOI recommendations we worked on and I think we accepted many of the recommendations.
1:27:39
Or if we had not, it was be with respect to the field test in particular, it was because we had implemented these new scanning devices in, I think almost all of our facilities.
Sandy Nurse
1:27:50
And do you have any updated figures you could tell us about how these newer, scanning technologies are what are they what are the findings that they're they're showing?
James Conroy
1:28:02
So we've used not not yet because that was one of the things that we're going to work with DOI on is actually doing a study to see the, improved accuracy
Sandy Nurse
1:28:10
Okay.
James Conroy
1:28:10
Of the testing.
1:28:11
Because then that also requires a supplement, excuse me, a subsequent NYPD laboratory test.
1:28:18
And for a number of reasons, just because of the volume of things that they're dealing with and and issues with staffing that they have.
1:28:24
It's not something that could be done pretty quickly, so we can't just send it to them and get it right back.
1:28:28
It takes a period of time.
1:28:30
Overall, we base some of the more, accuracy information on on scientific studies that have been conducted around the country.
Sandy Nurse
1:28:37
Okay.
1:28:38
So you're saying you are gonna do some in house study of these machines before actually using them?
James Conroy
1:28:44
No.
1:28:44
No.
1:28:44
They're being utilized now.
1:28:45
But we are also to supplement that and to ensure, we we I actually just had a conversation a couple of weeks ago with DOI about, doing a a joint study to kind of look at these, what we're recovering, what the testing shows, and then, kind of gauge the accuracy of it.
1:29:01
But I mean, it's industry widely accepted.
1:29:04
These these are used by the Transportation Security Administration, at airports, some of the types that we're using.
1:29:11
So, it it's something that we have a higher level of confidence in.
1:29:15
But we we are going to continue to to look into that.
Sandy Nurse
1:29:18
Okay.
1:29:19
We would love to get in the follow-up the which of the recommendations you are implementing, which ones you aren't, and the rationale for why not.
James Conroy
1:29:27
Sure.
Sandy Nurse
1:29:31
I think that was oh, I'm sorry.
1:29:33
I'll turn it back over to number 1.