**MEDIA ADVISORY**
May 7, 2026
Contact: Yonah Zeitz: 347-201-2768 yonah@katalcenter.org
Follow online: @katalcenter | #ShutRikers | shutrikers.org
Saturday, May 9th: Key Reforms to the State Commission of Correction Take Effect, Expanding the Number of Commission Seats from 3 to 5
As of Saturday, NY’s Jail and Prison Watchdog Agency Will No Longer Have A Quorum to Function
Advocates Call on Gov. Hochul to Immediately Appoint Reform-Oriented Commissioners Committed to the Agency’s Oversight Mandate
New York, NY – Last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, which includes overhauling the State Commission of Correction. On Saturday, May 9th, key reforms to the State Commission of Correction take effect – expanding the number of commissioners from three to five.
The SCOC is mandated with the constitutional authority to ensure that correctional facilities across New York – all local jails and state prisons – are “safe, stable, and humane.” The SCOC’s wide-ranging authority includes the power to shut down any correctional facilities (including Rikers) for consistently violating the rights of incarcerated people. The SCOC has consistently failed to meet its responsibility, and incarcerated people across New York have suffered the consequences. The brutal murders of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi highlight the inadequacy of this oversight agency in state prisons. Local jails are no better, and the deadly conditions at Rikers underscore the gross failure of this agency.
Here are the changes that take effect on Saturday:
- The Commission is expanded from three to five members. The two new members are part-time; they hold full voting rights on the commission.
- To expand the diversity of perspectives and experiences for the commissioners, there are new requirements.
- At least one commissioner (full-time or part-time) must be a formerly incarcerated individual.
- At least one commissioner (full-time or part-time) must be a healthcare professional; an attorney with a background in indigent criminal defense, prisoner’s rights litigation or experience as a legal policy professional with experience related to the rights of incarcerated individuals; or a professional with experience in any other field deemed relevant to the promotion of an efficient, humane, and lawful correctional system.
The full list of reforms to the SCOC can be found here.
Right now, there are two sitting Commissions: Chair Canty and Commissioner Gaynes. One of the full-time positions is currently vacant following the former Chair’s retirement at the end of last year. Starting on Saturday, May 9th, there will be three vacancies (one full-time position and two new part-time positions), and the Commission will no longer have a quorum. As it stands, the SCOC will not be able to hold its May monthly meeting unless at least one new commissioner is appointed.
As jails and prisons across New York remain in crisis, it is vital that Governor Hochul swiftly appoints and the State Senate confirms reform-oriented people to this Commission.
###