Board of Correction Chair Jennifer Jones Austin and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the formation of a working group to eliminate punitive segregation in the New York City jail system.
The working group’s recommendations will be incorporated into the Board’s broader rule package on restrictive housing and voted on in the fall. The Department of Correction and Correctional Health Services will also, effective immediately, implement new restrictions that will preclude individuals with certain medical conditions from restrictive housing.
Effective immediately, the Department of Correction will also exclude individuals with several key medical conditions from being placed into any form of restrictive housing while in custody. Conditions include individuals who are diabetic, individuals on asthma medication, on antiepileptic medications for seizures, on blood thinners, or have any history of organ transplant.
Individuals who have a diagnosis of heart disease, lung disease, or kidney disease will also be exempt.