Lynelle Maginley-Liddie Appointed as New NYC Department of Correction Commissioner Amid Looming Federal Takeover

Federal monitor Steve Martin expresses rare support for Maginley-Liddie, warning that the city's actions will demonstrate commitment to reform.

Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Lynelle Maginley-Liddie as the new commissioner of New York City's Department of Correction, succeeding Louis Molina who will move to City Hall as the assistant deputy mayor for public safety.
Maginley-Liddie, who has eight years of experience in the Department of Correction and previously served as first deputy commissioner, is stepping into the role at a time when the city's jails, particularly Rikers Island, are facing potential federal takeover due to dangerous conditions and rising violence.
Federal monitor Steve Martin, who oversees the city's jail system, has expressed rare support for Maginley-Liddie's appointment, describing her as 'transparent and forthright' and acknowledging her understanding of the significant work ahead.
Despite the support, Martin issued a stern warning that the city's actions will demonstrate whether they are genuinely committed to reform, as the city's jails have been under court-ordered federal oversight due to high levels of use of force by guards and dangerous conditions.
Mayor Adams and Maginley-Liddie are both opposed to the federal takeover, with Adams arguing that an outside agency wouldn't be able to 'fix the systems' at the jails and Maginley-Liddie pledging to work with the federal monitor to avoid the takeover.