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New York City Department of Correction
File:New York City Department of Correction (badge).jpg
Shield of the New York City Department of Correction.Shield of the New York City Department of Correction.
Abbreviation	NYC DOC// NYCD
Motto	New York's Boldest
Agency overview
Formed	1895
Employees	14,000
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	New York, New York, USA
Map of New York City Department of Correction's jurisdiction
Legal jurisdiction	New York state
Constituting instrument	New York City Charter
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Jackson Heights, Queens
Correction Officers	9,500
Commissioner responsible	Joseph Ponte
Agency executive	Evelyn A. Mirabal, Chief
Website
Official Site

The New York City Department of Correction is the branch of the municipal government of New York City responsible for New York City's inmates, housing the majority of them on Rikers Island. It employs 8,000 uniformed officers and 1,400 civilian staff, has 543 vehicles, and processes over 100,000 new inmates every year, retaining a population of inmates of between 13,000 and 18,000. Its nickname is New York's Boldest. Its regulations are compiled in title 39 of the New York City Rules. Previously located in Manhattan, the Department of Correction headquarters has now moved to the Bulova building in the northern section of Jackson Heights, Queens, minutes from Rikers Island.

History

The New York City Department of Correction was first founded as a separate entity in New York City in 1895 after a split from the Department of Public Charities and Correction. Roosevelt Island, then called Blackwell's Island, was the main penal institution under the jurisdiction of the DOC until the 1930s when it was closed. The penal institutions moved to Rikers Island, which the city purchased for $180,000, where 10 prisons and 12,000 inmates are now held.

In 1995, the New York City jail system was one of the most violent in the United States, averaging more than 100 stabbings and slashings per month. Between January 1995 and January 2002, the department achieved a 93% reduction in inmate on inmate violence as a result of a management system recognized by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, called Total Efficiency Accountability Management System (TEAMS). By 2007, the number of stabbings was reduced to 19, making that year the Department of Correction's safest on record. Although the issue of under reporting of incidents has not been ever addressed.

In 2009, former commissioner of both the Missouri and Arizona prison systems Dora Schriro was selected to head the department, with some citing a need in the department for a boost in morale. Schriro was named in several federal court cases such as Schriro v. Smith and Schriro v. Summerlin. Schriro served with the United States Department of Homeland Security prior to coming to the Department.

Power and Authority of Correction Officers

Correction Officers are New York State peace officers, and hold such status on and off duty, but only when acting under color of law.

Ranks

There are ten titles (referred to as ranks) in the New York City Department of Correction. Their images refer to the uniform rank insignia. However, there are also equivalent level civilian titles as well who also have equivalent power and responsibility and are saluted due to following uniform customs and courtesies. From highest to lowest rank, they are:

Title	Insignia
Commissioner
Chief of Department / First or Senior Deputy Commissioner
Bureau Chief / Deputy Commissioner
Assistant Chief / Associate Commissioner
Warden / Assistant Commissioner
Deputy Warden in Command
Deputy Warden / Chaplain
Assistant Deputy Warden
Correction Captain
Correction Officer

Tour of duty

In the New York City Department of Correction, one day is divided into three 8-hour and 31-minute shifts: 11:00 PM to 7:31 AM (called a 2300hrs to 0731hrs), 7:00 AM to 3:31 PM (called an 0700hrs to 1531hrs), and 3:00 PM to 11:31 PM (called a 1500hrs to 2331hrs). Officers work 4 of these shifts per week based upon a rotating squad chart (i.e. 4 working days, 2 days off then another 4 working days and 2 days off). There is also a 5 and 2 squad (5 days on; 2 days off) for specialized units (i.e. Investigation Division, Intelligence Unit, Academy and Firearms Training Units, etc.)

Equipment and vehicles

Although correction officers are trained to carry firearms, only correction officers at certain post assignments carry a firearm due to the potential threat of prisoners overpowering an officer and seizing their firearm. No one may carry a firearm into a prison without the permission of the Warden or the commanding officer. Officers assigned to prisoner transport units, outside hospital posts, exterior patrol posts, and security posts carry firearms at all times. Not all correction officers carry a firearm on or off-duty, for off-duty carry correction officer must get approval from their respective Warden or commanding officer. On duty firearm is provided (Smith & Wesson 5946 DAO) however should the member elect there is a list of authorized on/off duty firearms such as Glock, SIG Sauer, Beretta, etc. For officers hired before March 1994, the model 10 & 64 revolvers are still an option. If authorized to carry firearms off duty, officers' options include the on duty firearms and, but not limited to, the Glock 26 and the Beretta 92D.

The department uses numerous vehicles including Chevrolet Impalas, Ford vans, transport buses, firetrucks, and riot vehicles.

Notable people of NYC DOC

Over the years, several notable people have come through the ranks of DOC:

• Mickey Marcus, Commissioner in 1940 - Would go on to serve in World War II with the United States Army and later join the Israeli Defense Force and be instrumental in leading their forces during that country's independence movement.

• Bernard Kerik, Served in the NYCDOC from 1994-2001 Mr. Kerik became Correction Commissioner in 1998 and served in that position until appointed the 40th Police commissioner of the NYPD in August 2001.

• Soul singer Sharon Jones served as a corrections officer at Rikers Island.

See also

• List of law enforcement agencies in New York
• New York City Department of Probation
• New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
• Corrections

References

1. New York City Charter § 621; "There shall be a department of correction the head of which shall be the commissioner of correction."
2. ^ History of the DOC New York City Department of Correction, retrieved March 13, 2008
3. ^ Facilities Overview New York City Department of Correction, retrieved March 13, 2008
4. ^ Press Release - January 6, 2008 New York City Department of Corrections, available here retrieved March 13, 2008
5. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/08/nyregion/lockdown-special-report-iron-hand-rikers-island-drastically-reduces-violence.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
6. City Jails Get a New Commissioner The Village Voice
7. Schwartz, Martin A. (1997). Section 1983 Litigation: Claims and Defenses. Aspen.
8. Firearms Directive
9. NYC Corrections Chevy Impala
10. NYC Corrections Vehicles

External links

• Official Website
• Department of Correction in the Rules of the City of New York

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Crime in New York City

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