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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Addressing the rising jail population and capacity challenges
1:50:27
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141 sec
Commissioner Maginley-Liddie addresses the significant increase in the jail population, which has risen 32% since January 2022 and is now at its highest level since 2019. She discusses the challenges this poses for the current jail system and the measures being taken to address capacity issues and reduce the population.
- The jail population has increased by 32% since January 2022, reaching approximately 6,900
- The department is working to increase bed space in certain housing areas
- Efforts are being made to streamline processes for attorney-client meetings and case processing to reduce lengths of stay
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
1:50:27
As we move into this next fiscal year, we must confront some hard truths.
1:50:32
Despite any hopes to the contrary, the jail population continues to rise.
1:50:37
Between 01/01/2022 and today, the department has experienced a remarkable 32% increase in the population.
1:50:49
In the last year alone, the population has increased over 10%.
1:50:55
Today, the census is approximately 6,900, which is the highest it has been since 2019.
1:51:03
This number is not in line with what was envisioned for the borough based jails nor our current jails on Rikers Island.
1:51:11
The physical plant of our jail system as it exists today is not equipped to house an ever increasing population, especially given our current staffing levels.
1:51:24
The department has been proactive in monitoring population and staffing levels as well as facility conditions and capacity demands.
1:51:33
It is our goal at all times to uphold safe, secure, and humane conditions for people in custody and our staff.
1:51:43
With this in mind, the department developed and executed a plan to increase bed space in certain housing areas throughout the jails to ensure available beds for those coming into our care.
1:51:56
This work remains ongoing as we anticipate further increases to the population in the coming weeks.
1:52:03
In tandem with increased capacity, we are exploring every avenue to decrease the population in the short and long term.
1:52:12
Recently the department revised policies and procedures to tackle a long standing issue and streamline the process by which attorneys can meet with their clients on Rikers and review electronic discovery documents.
1:52:27
This will support speedier case processing and reduce lengths of stay.
1:52:33
We also continue to meet with stakeholders throughout the criminal justice system to impress upon them the urgency of the situation and to develop collaborative strategies to bring down rates of new admission and safely reduce the population.