NYC officials, advocates call for end to solitary confinement after 9th Rikers Island-related death

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, city officials and other advocates are urging City Council to pass legislation Intro 549 and for Mayor Eric Adams to sign it.

News 12 Staff and Valerie Ryan

Oct 5, 2023, 5:07 PM

Updated 295 days ago

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City officials and advocates rallied in City Hall Park Thursday pushing to end solitary confinement in New York City jails.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, city officials and other advocates are urging City Council to pass legislation Intro 549 and for Mayor Eric Adams to sign it. The bill would end solitary condiment and add alternatives such as pro-social programs. According to advocates, the bill is veto proof with supermajority support.
Dr. Victoria Phillips, the co-founder of Jails Action Coalition, says she started the program back in 2011 to shed light on the "unacceptable" conditions in NYC jails.
This comes as the Department of Correction confirmed an individual, whose name is being withheld, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead Thursday morning at Rikers Island. It is the ninth Rikers Island-related death in 2023.


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