All topics / Public Safety and Access to Justice
Department of Correction
The New York City Department of Correction dates to 1895, when the state legislature split the old Department of Public Charities and Correction into two separate agencies, giving DOC jurisdiction over the City's penal institutions, including the Penitentiary and Workhouse on what is now Roosevelt Island and the Tombs in Manhattan. Its operations moved to Rikers Island — purchased by the City in 1884 for $180,000 and later expanded by landfill to its current 415 acres — after the original Roosevelt Island jail facilities were abandoned in the mid-1930s.
What's working
- How often do violent incidents between people in custody result in serious injury?: 13.5 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
- How often are staff assaulted by someone in custody?: 12.4 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
- How often do assaults on staff by someone in custody result in serious injury?: 0.3 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
- and 5 more below
What's getting worse
- What percent of population as percent of capacity?: 92% — misses target by 4%
- How often do violent incidents happen between people in custody?: 104.2
Critical indicators
With a numeric target
What percent of population as percent of capacity?
92%Misses target by 4%
What percent of population as percent of capacity?
92%Misses target by 4%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 75% | 96% |
| FY23 | 79% | 96% |
| FY24 | 87% | 96% |
| FY25 | 92% | 96% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 96% |
92% in FY25 — missed the City's own target for this indicator (4% below the 96% target), though it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
What percent of individuals in custody participating in programs, services, and activities?
15.1% — increasing, though partly reflects a data correction after a program restructuringBeats target by 5.1%
What percent of individuals in custody participating in programs, services, and activities?
15.1% — increasing, though partly reflects a data correction after a program restructuringBeats target by 5.1%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 7.2% | 10% |
| FY23 | 18.2% | 10% |
| FY24 | 14.8% | 10% |
| FY25 | 15.1% | 10% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 10% |
Part of this swing is a data correction: DOC originally published a Fiscal 2024 figure of 23.1 percent but later revised it down to 14.8 percent after a review of historical data, which is the figure reflected in FY25 comparisons. DOC also says Fiscal 2024 participation was affected by discontinuing a contracted group-services program and insourcing those services, with staff hired through FY25 to rebuild group and one-on-one programming (group sessions rose 24 percent between FY24 and FY25), which is why FY25 (15.1 percent) came in comparable to the restated FY24 figure.
Researched July 16, 2026 — DOC, Fiscal 2024 Mayor's Management Report, DOC, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
The vast majority of people in NYC's jails are awaiting trial or serving short sentences, meaning they return to their neighborhoods relatively quickly. DOC's Programs Division and initiatives like Jails to Jobs partner with outside organizations to offer vocational training, literacy help, counseling, and reentry planning, including help obtaining identification documents needed to get a job or housing. Without this kind of support, the same underlying problems that preceded incarceration -- unemployment, lack of documentation, untreated substance use -- often persist and drive people back into the justice system.
NYC Department of Correction - Reintegration & Reentry Initiatives
Without a numeric target
How many escapes are there?
0 escapes
How many escapes are there?
0 escapes
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 3 escapes |
| FY23 | 1 escape |
| FY24 | 2 escapes |
| FY25 | 0 escapes |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
0 escapes in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How often do violent incidents happen between people in custody?
104.2
How often do violent incidents happen between people in custody?
104.2
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 87 |
| FY23 | 90.4 |
| FY24 | 94.9 |
| FY25 | 104.2 |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
104.2 in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended in the wrong direction over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How often do violent incidents between people in custody result in serious injury?
13.5 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
How often do violent incidents between people in custody result in serious injury?
13.5 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 18.9 |
| FY23 | 15.4 |
| FY24 | 12.1 |
| FY25 | 13.5 |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
DOC's own reporting says the FY22-to-FY24 decline in serious injuries to incarcerated people from violence was the result of a multi-pronged effort to better manage the jails, including more searches for contraband weapons. The subsequent FY25 increase coincided with a nearly 10 percent jump in the average daily jail population, a rise in the share of people held on serious violent charges following bail reform, continued uniformed staff attrition, and a state prison workers' wildcat strike that temporarily halted transfers of sentenced individuals out of city custody, all of which DOC cited as contributing factors.
Researched July 16, 2026 — DOC, Fiscal 2024 Mayor's Management Report, DOC, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How often are staff assaulted by someone in custody?
12.4 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
How often are staff assaulted by someone in custody?
12.4 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 15.8 |
| FY23 | 12.3 |
| FY24 | 9.5 |
| FY25 | 12.4 |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
DOC attributes the FY22-to-FY24 decline in assaults on staff to broader efforts to better manage the jails and reduce violence. The FY25 rebound coincided with a nearly 10 percent rise in the average daily jail population, a larger share of people held on serious violent charges following bail reform, ongoing uniformed staff attrition, and a state prison workers' wildcat strike that temporarily halted transfers of sentenced individuals out of city jails, all cited by DOC as contributing factors.
Researched July 16, 2026 — DOC, Fiscal 2024 Mayor's Management Report, DOC, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How often do assaults on staff by someone in custody result in serious injury?
0.3 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
How often do assaults on staff by someone in custody result in serious injury?
0.3 — decreasing overall, though FY25 saw a rebound tied to jail population growth
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 0.5 |
| FY23 | 0.4 |
| FY24 | 0.2 |
| FY25 | 0.3 |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
This indicator tracks a small number of incidents each year, so it can swing sharply in percentage terms. DOC's own reporting ties the FY22-to-FY24 decline to broader efforts to better manage the jails, and the FY25 rebound to a nearly 10 percent rise in average daily population, a larger share of people held on serious violent charges following bail reform, uniformed staff attrition, and a state prison workers' wildcat strike that temporarily halted transfers of sentenced individuals out of city custody.
Researched July 16, 2026 — DOC, Fiscal 2024 Mayor's Management Report, DOC, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How often do use-of-force incidents result in serious injury?
1 — decreasing, but largely reflects a 2023 change in how incidents are counted
How often do use-of-force incidents result in serious injury?
1 — decreasing, but largely reflects a 2023 change in how incidents are counted
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 6.5 |
| FY23 | 4.1 |
| FY24 | 0.7 |
| FY25 | 1 |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
Much of the FY22-to-FY24 drop reflects a change in how DOC counts these incidents, not just a change in underlying violence: through FY22, any use-of-force incident where someone was seriously injured was classified as a "serious injury" use of force even if the injury actually came from the violent incident that force was used to stop; in FY23 DOC realigned its practice to count an incident as a serious-injury use of force only when the injury was a direct result of the force itself. The small increase in FY25 involved a very small number of incidents (79 out of 7,044 total uses of force that year), so it moves the rate significantly even though it represents a small absolute change.
Researched July 16, 2026 — DOC, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
How many non-natural deaths of individuals in custody are there?
4 deaths
How many non-natural deaths of individuals in custody are there?
4 deaths
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 9 deaths |
| FY23 | 8 deaths |
| FY24 | 4 deaths |
| FY25 | 4 deaths |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
This indicator has swung sharply within the lookback window — a simple up/down label would oversimplify it, so no trend badge is shown here. See the chart and table above for the full picture.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
What percent of scheduled on-site court appearances produced?
98.6%
What percent of scheduled on-site court appearances produced?
98.6%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | Not available |
| FY23 | 91.5% |
| FY24 | 98.2% |
| FY25 | 98.6% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
98.6% in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 2 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
What percent of scheduled teleconference court appearances produced?
88.9%
What percent of scheduled teleconference court appearances produced?
88.9%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | Not available |
| FY23 | 88.9% |
| FY24 | 87.3% |
| FY25 | 88.9% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
88.9% in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has stayed essentially flat over the past 2 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York
What percent of scheduled clinic encounters produced?
77%
What percent of scheduled clinic encounters produced?
77%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | Not available |
| FY23 | Not available |
| FY24 | 75% |
| FY25 | 77% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
77% in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 1 year of reported data.
Why this is tracked
The 2015 Nunez consent decree grew out of a lawsuit brought by a teenager who alleged he was beaten by a DOC captain on Rikers Island; it mandated reforms including de-escalation policies and restrictions on tactics like head strikes. A court-appointed monitor has since filed dozens of reports finding the City out of compliance with the order, and in 2025 a federal judge appointed an outside Remediation Manager to take over reform efforts after the City was held in contempt of multiple provisions. That history is why "safe and secure" custody in NYC's jail system is not just a routine institutional goal but a specific, court-monitored legal obligation.
DOJ - Agreement to Address NYC's Non-Compliance With Rikers Consent Judgment, Legal Aid Society - Nunez v. City of New York