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Mayor Adams Halts Key Provisions of NYC Solitary Confinement Ban

Emergency order suspends limits on isolation and restraints in city jails, citing safety concerns for staff and inmates.

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Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference at the New York City Emergency Management Department on Friday April 5, 2024 in New York. New York City's mayor on Saturday issued an emergency order suspending parts of a new law intended to ban solitary confinement in local jails a day before it was to take effect, citing concerns for the safety of staff and detainees. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman, File)
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Overview

  • The law would have limited solitary confinement to four hours and reduced the use of restraints during transport.
  • Mayor Adams argues the changes require resources that are currently unavailable, risking safety.
  • Critics accuse Adams of abusing emergency powers and ignoring legislative decisions.
  • Supporters of the ban highlight the psychological harm of solitary confinement and its link to increased inmate suicides.
  • The federal monitor and correctional staff support the suspension, citing potential increases in jail violence.