General Counsel

The General Counsel advises the Board on legal issues, policy, rulemaking, and compliance. The General Counsel unit within the Board of Correction is comprised of multiple teams dedicated to addressing legal issues, conducting thorough investigations, and maintaining open lines of communication with both internal and external stakeholders, including other city agencies and advocates. Their investigative work covers a wide range of areas, including visit restrictions, reports on violence prevention, de-escalation tactics, confinement usage, serious injuries, deaths in custody, and unusual incidents within correctional facilities.

Administration

The Board of Correction's Administration unit plays a crucial role in managing the agency’s day-to-day operations and technological initiatives. The Administration unit works closely with the agency’s other teams, managing correspondence and phone calls from individuals in custody and key stakeholders, coordinating essential city-wide training programs for all staff, and enhancing the agency's policies and procedures. Moreover, the Administration unit is responsible for overseeing all of the agency’s human resources requirements and provides support for financial planning and budget hearings. Additionally, the unit focuses on improving the agency’s operational efficiency by enhancing both its internal and external connectivity.

Monitoring

The Monitoring unit of the Board of Correction is the agency’s “eyes and ears” in the City's jails, ensuring compliance with the Board's Minimum Standards and enhancing transparency regarding conditions within correctional facilities. Members of the unit have unrestricted access to the jails and the individuals in custody, allowing them to observe and understand the operational dynamics closely. This comprehensive approach enables the unit to draft detailed memorandums, work on in-depth reports and special projects and assess the status of the jails to inform the public during meetings. They meticulously identify and address areas of concern within each facility, all while making vital recommendations to protect the well-being of those residing and working in the jails.

Research

The Research unit of the New York City Board of Correction plays a pivotal role in advancing the Board’s mission to ensure the effectiveness, fairness, and safety NYC’s jails. The Research unit uses real-time quantitative analytics and qualitative data to monitor and ensure compliance with the Board’s minimum standards on conditions of confinement and healthcare. Additionally, in collaboration with other units within the agency and partner City agencies, the Research unit conducts rigorous data analysis and policy evaluations to provide evidence-based recommendations that help inform and guide the Board’s oversight.