FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Contact: Yonah Zeitz, yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769
Follow online: @katalcenter | #ShutRikers | shutrikers.org
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander Sends Letter to Governor Kathy Hochul Calling on Her to Immediately Sign the Omnibus Corrections Oversight Bill Into Law
With Rikers in Crisis and the Death Toll Soaring, the Comptroller Calls for the State Commission of Correction to Be Overhauled
New York, NY – Today, New York City Comptroller sent this letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to sign the Corrections Oversight Omnibus bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), into law. This legislation, passed in June 2025, relates to correctional services and oversight in New York and is in direct response to the killings of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi in state prisons and the ongoing crisis in correctional facilities across the state. This omnibus bill consists of ten prison oversight and accountability bills. Section H of the omnibus bill includes S.856 (Salazar)/ A.2315 (Gallagher), which overhauls the State Commission of Correction (SCOC).
In NYC, the crisis at Rikers is worsening. Three people have died in city jails in the last two weeks and at least 45 people have died since Eric Adams became mayor in 2022.
The SCOC is the government watchdog with authority over local jails and state prisons, including Rikers Island. The bill is currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
Quotes from the Comptroller and the Katal Center:
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander: “The crisis at Rikers and rising deaths in state prisons demand action now. We must use every tool in our kit to address life-threatening conditions, and Governor Hochul should sign the Corrections Oversight Omnibus Bill to deliver real oversight, safety, and accountability in New York’s jails and prisons.”
Lah Franklin, Member of the Katal Center, said: “When I was detained at Rikers Island I remember being so afraid. Since I’ve been there the conditions have only gotten worse and I know that everyone there is also terribly afraid. People should not have to fear for their lives while detained in a NYC jail. Mayor Adams’s refusal to address the ever-growing crisis at Rikers has resulted in an increase of deaths and violence. At least 45 incarcerated people have died in city jails under the mayor’s watch. Rikers Island must be shut down.
I’m grateful to NYC Comptroller Brad Lander’s commitment to holding Mayor Adams accountable for addressing this crisis and calling on Governor Hochul to intervene. The Governor has the power to sign into law the Omnibus bill that includes legislation to overhaul the State Commission of Correction to ensure they keep incarcerated people and staff in ‘safe, stable and humane conditions.’ If the correctional facility fails to meet this standard, as is the case with Rikers Island, they have the power to shut it down. Governor Hochul, New Yorkers deserve better and I urge that you sign the omnibus bill immediately.”
Background: The Corrections Oversight Omnibus bill, S.8415 (Salazar)/A.8871 (Dilan), was passed in June by the state legislature. Section H of the bill outlines the reforms to the State Commission of Corrections (SCOC). The proposed reforms will expand the number of commissioners from three to nine and distribute appointments among the Governor, the Senate, the Assembly, and the independent nonprofit, the Correctional Association of New York. The appointment requirements would guarantee a diversity of backgrounds, including in public health, behavioral healthcare, prisoner’s rights litigation, and personal experiences of incarceration.
#ShutRikers is a campaign of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice. Katal members, supporters, and our allies are working to cut the correctional populations and the budgets used for caging people; shut down Rikers Island; and invest in real public safety: housing, health care, education, and jobs.
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