STATEMENT ON INITIALLY UNREPORTED INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE

The Fortune Society is deeply troubled by the information about initially unreported instances of violence causing serious injury to people in the custody of the NYC Department of Correction (DOC), as well as one suicide, contained in the Special Report of the Nunez Independent Monitor filed with the federal court on May 26, 2023.  The report also highlights DOC’s persistent unwillingness to provide information to oversight entities as required.  Transparency is critical so that all stakeholders are aware of the full scope of the danger, abuse, and neglect that render our jails inhumane and unsafe, so that these conditions can be promptly addressed.  This report makes it even more clear that new oversight processes and structures are required to protect people in our jails – including people with mental health issues and the elderly, like the 80-year-old whose horrific treatment is detailed in the report – because their lives are at stake. We feel compelled to reiterate our call for appointment of a federal receiver.