The Fortune Society’s Statement About Restoration of DOC Funding for Programming at Rikers

(March 5, 2024 – New York, NY)—Stanley Richards, President/CEO of The Fortune Society, issued the following statement about the restoration of funding for programs on Rikers.

“The Fortune Society commends the Administration for the decisive and laudable decision to reinstate funding for crucial supportive programming at Rikers Island in the next fiscal year. Having worked with Commissioner Maginley-Liddie when I served as First Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Correction (DOC), I am optimistic about her vision for partnering with community-based organizations to make Rikers more humane and safer for all those who are held there, and work there.

While not restored in full – which we urge the Administration to reconsider – the funding of $14 million will go toward initiatives that have proven instrumental in keeping individuals engaged in transformative skills-building activities and healing processes, bringing compassion and understanding to those navigating the challenges of incarceration and reentry.

The efforts of nonprofits like The Fortune Society will once again ensure that thousands of incarcerated New Yorkers receive essential services such as workforce development, transportation, community connections, educational opportunities, housing assistance, health care, and more.

Engagement with the criminal legal system is inherently traumatic, and our quality-based jail programs play a vital role in mitigating harm by fostering motivation, rehabilitation, and connection to the outside world. These programs not only contribute to community safety but also play a significant role in reducing idleness, emphasizing the importance of supporting individuals during their time of incarceration to enhance their well-being and pave the way for brighter futures.

We express our sincere gratitude to the many advocates, providers, program participants and graduates, elected officials, and others who aligned with us in our fight for the reinstatement of these critical programs. Their dedication and commitment to doing what’s right has been instrumental in achieving this positive outcome.

We look forward to collaborating with the Commissioner Maginley-Liddie and DOC to expand our capacity to provide the full spectrum of services previously offered and to ensure continuity of care from jail to the community.”

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ABOUT THE FORTUNE SOCIETY: Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for over five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop-in services, and supportive housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare. Fortune has a dual mission of services and advocacy, through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, as well as research in our Center for Research, Inquiry, and Social Justice. We use what we learn from our justice impacted staff and leadership and from the people we serve about the obstacles that people with criminal histories face to inform and fuel our advocacy work. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.