CM Brooks-Powers questions OMB on Rikers closure, JISH, and ATI funding
Brooks-Powers asks about incorporating the Independent Rikers Commission's recommendations, funding 380 remaining JISH units, and increasing ATI funding. Solomon details 120 current JISH units with a goal of 350+, an active RFP, and says DOC technology including visitation software has been self-funded by the department.
Thank you, Chair.
I'm going to again ask a couple questions back to back just in the interest of time.
But this is focused on the space of criminal justice.
Regarding the Rikers Island closure, the Independent Rikers Commission has issued its blueprint to close Rikers Island, which lays out numerous recommendations for investments that would assist in lowering the incarcerated population.
These programmatic recommendations are a critical component of the borough-based jails plan, but despite the council's advocacy, didn't receive adequate attention in the prior administration.
How have these recommendations been incorporated into this plan?
One example of a
of a program that hasn't been sufficiently funded is Justice Involved Supportive Housing, also known as JISH.
In 2019, the city agreed to add 380 more units, bringing the total to 500.
Currently, there are only 250 units online.
Half of which are supplemented with funding from the city council to stabilize the reimbursement rates.
When does the administration plan to fund and bring the remaining 380 promised units online at the higher reimbursement rate?
Also, alternatives to incarceration operate at
a fraction of the per person cost of Rikers and have been shown to be effective.
But the executive budget does not increase the funding to ATIs, can you explain?
And then lastly, in terms of Department of Corrections technology, at the hearing on
The Department of Corrections executive budget, Commissioner Richards testified that it is a priority of the Department of Corrections to modernize the agency.
Is there money in the department's budget to fund new technology?
Would this technology be capital?
Capitally eligible and one of the council's priorities is the development and implementation of an online scheduling system to facilitate visits to incarcerated
individuals per local law 43 of 2025.
OMB originally estimated that developing this software would cost $2 million.
Have those funds been included in the department's capital budget as this technology would be transferable to
borough-based jails and therefore meet the five-year lifespan requirement.
And I can repeat any question you need me to.
Sure.