NYC Mayor Adams Suspends Solitary Confinement Ban on July 27

Jul 28, 2024, 10:37 AM

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued an emergency order on July 27 suspending parts of a new law intended to ban solitary confinement in NYC jails. The order, signed on Saturday, overrides the City Council's Local Law 42, which was set to take effect imminently. The law aimed to create an enforceable ban on solitary confinement by setting minimum standards for out-of-cell time, thereby preventing the harm of prolonged isolation while allowing for temporary separation to ensure safety and de-escalation. Mayor Adams cited concerns for the safety of staff and detainees as the primary reason for the suspension. The law was first introduced in June 2022 and passed in December 2023. Critics argue that the mayor's rationale for needing more time to analyze and implement the law strains credulity, given the lengthy period since its introduction and passage.