Press Room

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams spoke before the Board of Correction yesterday, arguing in opposition to the ongoing overcrowding on Rikers Island and proposing measures to combat it. He also spoke against dangerous conditions on Rikers in the wake of the recent deaths of Benjamin Kelly and James Maldonado, less than 90 minutes apart.

“My purpose has always been to bear witness, to highlight the crises of violence, mismanagement, and neglect, and to advocate for solutions that create safety for those on both sides of the bars,” said the Public Advocate after offering condolences to the men’s families. “It is clear that what we are doing now is not working."

On overcrowding, he made clear that “The DOC correctly identifies drivers of our problems: a jail population at the highest since prior to the pandemic, there is a backlog of over 1,100 who should be in state facilities. We must remain clear: the administration's priorities are what put the department in a position where any deviation would lead to this sort of crisis. Continuously approving these variances without a clear and publicly accountable plan will only lead to more variances.”

The Board went on to agree later in the meeting, denying the variance request. Public Advocate Williams pushed for the Local Conditional Release Commission to act urgently to remove people from the island who do not need to be incarcerated while awaiting their court date, because “Overcrowding heightens issues already present in the jails: it increases violence, strains infrastructure, makes the delivery and provision of services more difficult, and creates unsafe conditions for everyone.”

The Public Advocate also spoke about isolation housing and his law to end prolonged isolation, which the administration has refused to follow. 

“Before last week, the courts had spoken, not once, but twice, in affirming the City Council’s authority and the will of New Yorkers by upholding Local Law 42, the law to ban solitary confinement,” he said. “This administration continues to fight this humane and necessary law in court, while simultaneously replicating the practice of solitary through units like the SMU and the appalling practice of "deadlocking" individuals in mental health units for 23 hours a day, as brave whistleblowers have revealed… They do not rehabilitate, they serve to deteriorate. I have seen these types of units firsthand and have consistently spoken out about them. This approach, which struggles to provide mandated services, programming, and basic human contact, is not a bug in the system; it is the feature of a system designed to isolate and punish, not to correct or keep people safe.”

Public Advocate Williams has also pushed for an increase in resources to the Board of Correction in recent weeks, arguing before a Charter Review Commission that this and other oversight bodies need to be funded proportionally to the entities they oversee – the board later put this recommendation in their preliminary report. 

Read the Public Advocate’s full prepared statement to the Board of Correction below. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL BOARD OF CORRECTION JULY 8, 2025

Good afternoon, My name is Jumaane D. Williams and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I thank the Board of Correction for holding this meeting. I just want to say, it is immensely difficult work that the people in this room do. From coalition members, to corrections staffers, to legal representatives, to health professionals, to family members, to board members, to board staff, we carry a lot of weight. The responsibilities are tremendous, and they’re only surpassed by the enormity of the task before us.  The back-to-back deaths—less than 90 minutes apart—of Mr. Benjamin Kelly, age 37, and Mr. James Maldonado, age 56, truly highlight that there is much work to be done here still. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of these men. Their lives mattered, and should have been protected in DOC custody. My purpose has always been to bear witness, to highlight the crises of violence, mismanagement, and neglect, and to advocate for solutions that create safety for those on both sides of the bars. It is clear that what we are doing now is not working. I’ll now turn to agenda item six, a limited two-month variance concerning overcrowding in three facilities. While these variances for overcrowding at OBCC, EMTC, and the West Facility are directly tied to upheaval in our state system these are not simple administrative adjustments. They are accommodations for a broken system. The DOC correctly identifies drivers of our problems: a jail population at the highest since prior to the pandemic, there is a backlog of over 1,100 who should be in state facilities. We must remain clear: the administration's priorities are what put the department in a position where any deviation would lead to this sort of crisis. Continuously approving these variances without a clear and publicly accountable plan will only lead to more variances. Last year, the Local Conditional Release Commission, which is empowered to release people early from jail sentences, began meeting again after twenty years. I have long advocated for releasing people from custody who do not need to be held in detention awaiting their day in court. Overcrowding heightens issues already present in the jails: it increases violence, strains infrastructure, makes the delivery and provision of services more difficult, and creates unsafe conditions for everyone. This is especially urgent considering the record-breaking heat wave this city just experienced. If you’re hot today, imagine how it feels to be locked in an overcrowded facility with no air conditioning and little air circulation.  Now, I’ll discuss agenda item seven, which includes a status update on restrictive housing units, including the Special Management Unit (SMU) and the RESH-Annex. This looks like another name for forced isolation to me. Before last week, courts have spoken, not once, but twice, in affirming the City Council’s authority and the will of New Yorkers by upholding Local Law 42, the law to ban solitary confinement. This administration continues to fight this humane and necessary law in court, while simultaneously replicating the practice of solitary through units like the SMU and the appalling practice of "deadlocking" individuals in mental health units for 23 hours a day, as brave whistleblowers have revealed. As this Board has observed, even in these completely independently crafted units, it’s clear that basic training, planning and collaboration are clearly lacking. They do not rehabilitate, they serve to deteriorate. I have seen these types of units firsthand and have consistently spoken out about them. This approach, which struggles to provide mandated services, programming, and basic human contact, is not a bug in the system; it is the feature of a system designed to isolate and punish, not to correct or keep people safe. Recently, I visited Rose M. Singer Center at the requests of staff and detainees, following reports of cisgender men being housed in this unit in the wake of the pause in upstate transfers due to the state prison wildcat strike. This turned out to be true, and resulted in a more heavily restricted life for all housed in this facility: men are locked on the first, second, and third floors, and women on the fourth and fifth, leaving people locked down for longer periods of time in their cells with fewer opportunities to attend programming and services. Rikers Island is a highly stressful environment,  making it all the more important that incarcerated people have regular access to recreation time.  I’d like to again extend my condolences to the families of those who have died in DOC custody. Recent deaths can not be forgotten, and it's the charge of this body and my office to ensure this doesn't happen. While Commissioner Maginley-Liddie has been making strides; I see her efforts and understand that the staff face enormous challenges, many of them infrastructural. Still, we can and must strive todo better. Lastly, I want to acknowledge that it is Board member Dr. Robert Cohen’s last meeting after 16 years of service. Dr. Cohen has been a great advocate for the dignity and safety of people on both sides of the bars, including being a valued ally and advocate for the movement to end solitary confinement in our city’s jails. There is no doubt that your work has saved countless lives. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Cohen for all his years of service and wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Thank you.  

"My mother’s first day in America was 57 years ago on the Fourth of July, at the age of 18. As her son, as the son of immigrants, it pains me now to see the attacks on people who came to this country on the basis of the promise made at its founding but never fulfilled – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. On the day in history when our nation rejected an authoritarian ruler, so many now embrace one. 

"Independence Day – which only marked independence for some – is both a reminder of where our country is and a celebration of what it should and can be. What I want it to be is an opportunity. A rallying cry. A moment to demand that the promises declared in 1776 are fulfilled. Independence Day is a declaration of purpose and a commitment to progress.

"There are two Americas – the one Donald Trump stands for, and the one for whom patriotism means pushing back on hatred and pushing our country toward progress, toward its promise. I’m proud to know which America I stand and celebrate in."

"I cannot imagine how the family of Allan Feliz feels to learn that there will be no meaningful response from the NYPD to the unjust killing of their unarmed relative. I have stood with them at many moments, and this culmination of efforts must bring immense pain. Lt. Rivera will walk away from this incident still an officer, while Allan cannot not walk away at all. 

"In the past, this commissioner has shown a willingness to increase accountability, and with it, trust. This frustrating decision to abandon accountability undercuts those goals.

"It's hard to accept that the known facts around the killing of Allan Feliz could lead to a determination of no wrongdoing, that his killer should remain on the force. While it’s true that the Attorney General did not move forward with a criminal case, the administrative standard for discipline is very different, and that standard was clearly met in the administrative trial – both through Lt. Rivera’s conduct in the incident and in his lack of credibility.  Even at this lower standard, it is extremely rare that an administrative judge recommends accountability, much less termination, as they had in this case.

"To see that accountability denied today, even when the threshold was reached, to see it reversed by a commissioner who has held out hope for accountability within the department, is harmful both in this case and to the future of justice in policing."

On Tuesday, New York City Public Advocate spoke before the NYC Commission to Strengthen Local Democracy Charter Revision Commission at a public hearing to emphasize his proposals to strengthen transparency and accountability measures in city government, both through his office and other oversight bodies. 

In the Public Advocate’s May statement before the commission, he pushed for expanded resources for entities including the Board of Correction and the Civilian Complaint Review Board – proposals now reflected in the commission’s preliminary report. At last night's hearing, he focused on strengthening the investigative powers of the Office of the Public Advocate, particularly through subpoena power and clarified standing to sue. 

Under current Charter provisions, the Public Advocate can seek a ‘summary inquiry’ into city agency conduct, but only through a lengthy and expensive legal process. “Subpoena power, on the other hand,” he argued, “would not require my office to go to court first and expend limited money and resources for information that under purview of the Charter should be shared if requested. Giving the office full subpoena power would better allow the office to fulfill its duties as mandated by the existing Charter.” 

“Additionally,” he continued, “the Charter does not make clear the Public Advocate’s standing to sue on behalf of the residents of New York City”. Because the Law Department determines which cases can be pursued, this violates the intende

separation of powers among city officials as the Office of the Public Advocate is independent from mayoral agencies. Clarifying standing to sue would improve transparency and accountability in New York City.  The Public Advocate noted that “The Governor recently acknowledged that in the current climate of corruption and the appearance of corruption, citywide elected officials in NYC should have the ability to hire independent counsel and have standing to sue.”

Read his full statement below.  STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS TO THE NEW YORK CITY NYC COMMISSION  TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL DEMOCRACY JULY 1, 2025

Hello. My name is Jumaane Williams, and I have the pleasure of serving as Public Advocate for the City of New York. I want to thank this Commission for inviting me to testify before you once again. I also want to thank Chairs Garrido and Rice as well as Members of the Commission and my fellow New Yorkers for their participation in this open and transparent process to make government better and fairer.

My previous testimony touched on government accountability, specifically reforms to government oversight bodies like Board of Corrections (BOC) and the Civilian Compliant Review Board (CCRB) — recommendations that I was pleased to see reflected in the Commission’s recent recommendations. I do however want to reiterate two recommendations respective to my office: the need for subpoena power and for standing to sue. 

The Office of the Public Advocate may petition for a summary inquiry under Charter § 1109, but only for instances where a City agency or official has not upheld the law, or failed in performing a specific duty required of them by law. The Public Advocate, amongst other city elected officials, the Commissioner of Investigation, or any five taxpaying citizens, can ask the NY Supreme Court to institute a “summary inquiry into any alleged violation or neglect of duty in relation to the property, government or affairs of the city.”  This process requires filing a lawsuit that the agency from which information is being sought, to answer the complaint and argue to the court why it shouldn’t grant the inquiry; with further ability to appeal an affirmative ruling – an expensive and time consuming process. Subpoena power, on the other hand, would not require my office to go to court first and expend limited money and resources for information that under purview of the Charter should be shared if requested. Giving the office full subpoena power would better allow the office to fulfill its duties as mandated by the existing Charter.

Additionally, the Charter does not make clear the Public Advocate’s standing to sue on behalf of the residents of New York City. Because the Law Department determines which cases can be pursued, this violates the intended separation of powers among city officials as the Office of the Public Advocate is independent from mayoral agencies. Clarifying standing to sue would improve transparency and accountability in New York City. The Governor recently acknowledged that in the current climate of corruption and the appearance of corruption, citywide elected officials in NYC should have the ability to hire independent counsel and have standing to sue.

Finally, on the question of commissions and boards, I was asked by a member of the Commission during my previous testimony if I believed there was a commission or board that the Public Advocate should have appointments for. I would like to propose an appointee by the Public Advocate for the Franchise and Concessions Review Committee (FCRC). 

Under the Charter, the FCRC is composed of elected officials and/or their designees as appointed by the Mayor, the Comptroller, the Corporation Counsel, the Director of Office Management and Budget (OMB) and one additional appointee chosen by the Mayor. A Borough President or their appointed designee may also serve on the FCRC if the franchise or concession before the committee is located within their borough. Given the citywide perspective this committee holds, I believe that amending the Charter to include an appointee by the Public Advocate would be suitable. 

I look forward to answering any questions from the Commission. Thank you.

"Donald Trump’s threats to arrest and deport a New York elected official are dangerous and despicable, but not surprising. This is the result of a relentless campaign of lies and bigotry aimed at the Assembly Member and Democratic mayoral nominee because of his views and identity – a campaign aided by both the words and the silence of many other New York elected officials. We must all – including current Mayor Eric Adams – condemn these attacks for what they are, and stand in opposition to Trump’s misinformation and hate.

"This is yet another example of the Trump administration's true aims – to deport people because he doesn’t like their race, their religion, their beliefs. He is finding new ways to make Black and Brown people illegal, and this a moment to stand together, refusing to give in to his rhetoric and policies that make all of us less safe."

“It was always evident that Mayor Adams would try to find a way to defy Local Law 42 – he said so before it passed – and his declaration of a self-imposed state of emergency was never anything more than that. I am relieved that Judge Pearlman agrees that the mayor is not above the laws the Council passes – in this case, passed twice, after years of deliberation. This was an abuse of the concept of a 'state of emergency.' It should be obvious that the longstanding crisis on Rikers was not caused by a law which has not even been in effect.

“The harm of prolonged isolation is clear, documented, and dangerous for people on both sides of the bars. It is a threat to public safety and human dignity. I implore this mayor, after spending a year violating the law banning the practice, to finally follow it. We cannot address any issues on Rikers by doing the same things that have failed for many years – it’s long past time to implement real change.”