New York City's mayor has issued an emergency order suspending parts of a new law aimed at banning solitary confinement in local jails. The order was signed a day before the law was set to take effect, with concerns raised for the safety of both staff and detainees.
The emergency order, declared by Mayor Eric Adams, temporarily suspends sections of the law that set a four-hour time limit on holding prisoners in 'de-escalation confinement' and restrict the use of restraints on prisoners during transportation or within jails. The four-hour limit can only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances, with prisoners to be released from de-escalation confinement as soon as they no longer pose an imminent risk of harm.
Additionally, a part of the law that limited placing prisoners in longer-term 'restrictive housing' for more than 60 days in a 12-month period has also been suspended. Jail officials are now required to review a prisoner's placement in restrictive housing every 15 days.
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of protecting the health and safety of all individuals in custody, correctional officers, and the public. The City Council had overridden the mayor's veto of the bill in January, leading to the law's approval.
The bill, introduced by the New York City Public Advocate, aimed to address concerns that solitary confinement amounts to torture and can have severe psychological effects on inmates. Supporters of the law highlighted research showing the detrimental impacts of solitary confinement on mental health and reintegration into society.
Mayor Adams defended the need for de-escalation confinement and restrictive housing to prevent violent incidents within jails. Jail officials, the guards' union, and a federal monitor appointed to evaluate jail operations had raised objections to parts of the new law, citing safety considerations.
The state of emergency declaration will be in effect for up to 30 days, with possible extensions, while the suspension of parts of the law will last for five days unless terminated or modified earlier.
