Commissioner Stanley Richards

#NYCDOC officials recently celebrated the progress and achievements of individuals in the Sober Living Community Unit in West Facility on #RikersIsland. The unit is the second of its kind to be opened in the Department in recent years. People in our care living in this unit remain committed to maintaining sobriety and they live in a structured environment that emphasizes community, accountability, consistency and peer support. During the program, their recent success in completing the first module in the unit’s Substance Misuse Curriculum was also recognized. Last week’s programming also featured words of encouragement from Commissioner Stanley Richards, West Facility staff, officials from our Division of Programs and Community Partnerships and community partners from @thefortunesoc. NYC DOC remains committed to utilizing education, counseling and other important support services to assist people in our care in their journey to reenter the community. Learn more about the programming provided in our Division of Programs and Community Partnerships today at on.nyc.gov/4etr5rY. #NYCDOCPrograms #ThrowbackThursday

#NYCDOC recently welcomed nearly 200 guests for a screening of @PBS’ forthcoming documentary series titled “Crime and Punishment in America.” The film tells the story of the legal system in the United States, from the colonial era to today, and explores how the nation has debated different approaches to crime, punishment and justice. Following the screening, the agency hosted a panel discussion with Commissioner Stanley Richards, the film's Director Lynn Novick, Close Rikers Czar Dana Kaplan and writer and producer Rahsaan Thomas, about the future of the justice system in New York City. Guests were also invited to tour the closed George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC) on #RikersIsland.

It is with great sadness that the New York City Department of Correction announces the passing of Officer Latisha Boone, a Boldest veteran with 13-plus years on the job. Officer Boone was assigned to our Special Operations Division (SOD), where she served New York City with courage, integrity, dedication and kindness. The Boldest Family unites in solidarity with her loved ones in mourning her loss and remembering her service. May she rest in eternal light.

#NYCDOC Commissioner Stanley Richards and First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Egan recently joined our heroes working at the Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) on #RikersIsland in celebrating National #HispanicHeritageMonth. The decorations, cuisine, music and camaraderie paid homage to the rich culture of the Hispanic and Latino community. ”Events like these recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of our city. We need to celebrate and lean into that diversity and strength because that’s what makes us successful. I am proud to stand with my Latino brothers and sisters as they do this important work day in and day out,” Commissioner Richards said. From The Boldest Family to yours, Happy Hispanic Heritage Month. View more pics at bit.ly/47SRs6p. #JoinTheBoldest

The New York City Department of Correction is mourning the passing of retired Officer Samuel L. Perry, a beloved hero who served the Department with distinction for 45 years. During his correctional career, Officer Perry held a historic record of continuous service in the agency, which included 30 years of perfect attendance. Officer Perry, a combat @usarmy veteran, was also the namesake of the agency’s central entrance, visitor processing and valuable property retrieval center on #RikersIsland. As The Boldest Family mourns the loss of this highly-respected NYC DOC legend, we also extend our sincerest condolences to his loved ones. Officer Perry will forever remain in our hearts and represent the legacy of dedicated service in the Department. May his soul rest in eternal peace. #NYCDOCHero

People in #NYCDOC’s care, agency staff and special guests participated in a special viewing of the film “Fatherless No More” on Sept. 30 at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) on #RikersIsland. Released on video-on-demand platforms last month, the documentary chronicles @NFL #SuperBowl XXVI champion Pastor @TimJohnsonOWOC’s journey to volunteer at Rikers Island and details stories of redemption for young men in the Fatherless No More Initiative at RNDC. The film also sheds light on the unsung heroism of our Correction Officers through the service of Officers White and Cummings, two veterans in the Department who work alongside Johnson to mentor young men at RNDC. Led by Commissioner Stanley Richards and Johnson, last Wednesday’s viewing also featured a question-and-answer session with panelists involved with the film to help inspire the young men in the audience to continue to work towards a brighter future. Two former NYC DOC leaders who helped to launch the initiative, Commissioner Louis Molina and First Deputy Commissioner Francis Torres, also joined @DOCCommish on the panel to continue to support the agency’s ongoing efforts to help individuals in our care. View more photos today at bit.ly/3VNN45S. Learn more about the film by visiting bit.ly/4htL9Mj. #NYCDOCPrograms

The New York City Department of Correction is mourning the loss of Correction Officer Jessica Tavarez, a nearly 12-year veteran who served at the Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) on #RikersIsland. The Boldest Family extends its sincerest condolences to her loved ones and unites in solidarity in remembering her service. May she rest in everlasting peace.

The New York City Department of Correction mourns the loss of Correction Officer Dawn Lewis, a 19-year veteran who served at West Facility on #RikersIsland. Our condolences and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time. May she rest in eternal peace.

A heartfelt thank you goes to #NYCDOC’s very talented band, The Family, for performing musical selections during today’s Third Annual Men’s Conference in #CollegePoint. The band, which is comprised of both uniformed and non-uniformed members, is led by veteran musician Warden Ronald Miller. #BoldestMusic #JoinTheBoldest

#NYCDOC’s Third Annual Men’s Conference features a panel discussion with retired Assistant Chief James Perrino, who now serves as the Chief of Security of @NYCACS, as well as retired Assistant Chief Clayton N. Augustus. Assistant Deputy Wardens Octavio Subervi and Dyree Wilson are also providing insight about correctional leadership during today’s important career conversations. For the first time in this initiative’s history, our Recruit Officers are also attending the conference to learn more about working as one of New York City’s Boldest. Today’s sessions are also providing them with The Boldest Family camaraderie experience. #JoinTheBoldest #IronSharpensIron

#NYCDOC Commissioner Stanley Richards welcomes staff, retirees and special guests to the Department’s Third Annual Men’s Conference. Entitled “Iron Sharpens Iron,” this year’s professional development sessions will focus on excellence in leadership and mentorship. “There are extraordinary leaders in this room, and I know that none of you developed your strengths by doing only the easy things. You developed them by being tested, by taking responsibility, by learning from people who challenged you, by getting back up when things didn't go the way you wanted. And, perhaps most importantly, by understanding that leadership is not about being the strongest person in the room. Leadership is about using whatever strength you have to make the people around you stronger. That is what we celebrate today,” @DOCCommish said. #JoinTheBoldest

Today, #NYCDOC is celebrating its Third Annual Men’s Conference at the @NYPDnews Academy in #CollegePoint. Both uniformed and non-uniformed members of our agency will participate in professional development, mentorship and wellness activities as part of this year’s programming. #JoinTheBoldest

Thank you to @NYCyoungmen for inviting #NYCDOC to help celebrate its 15th anniversary at a partner convening at the National Urban League in #Harlem this past Friday. In recognition of the milestone year of service, Commissioner Stanley Richards served as a panelist in a multigenerational conversation about issues facing young men, especially young men of color, in society today. During the important discussion, the Commissioner noted that programming and mentorship has helped to change the lives of young men on #RikersIsland, which includes actress @lala Anthony’s #ThreeSixty and @NFL @SuperBowl XXVI champion Pastor Tim Johnson’s Fatherless No More initiatives at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC). “What I see every day is potential to change lives. Right now, we have about 450 young adults who are 18 to 21, when we look at the age 25, we have over 1,000 young adults who are primarily black and brown in our care. There is an opportunity for us to break that cycle if we are willing to invest with love, patience, grace and with relationship,” @DOCCommish said. This latest visit is also part of NYC DOC’s ongoing commitment to work alongside interagency and community partners to help people in our care prepare for a successful reentry into the community. #NYCDOCPrograms

Today, and every day, #NYCDOC remembers the service of our 45 fallen 9/11 heroes. Members of New York City’s Boldest searched for survivors, restored communications, transported generators, evacuated survivors, delivered supplies and so much more during one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we continue our vow as a Department to #NeverForget their bravery, dedication and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers also remain with their loved ones. #WeWereThere #WeRemember

Did you hear #NewYorkCity? #NYCDOC is hiring for more Correction Officers and the registration period for @nycdcas Exam #7302 is open. Yesterday, Commissioner Stanley Richards and our recruiters stopped by Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan to share info with New Yorkers about working for our Department. Many individuals who visited our table were looking for employment for themselves or their loved ones. @DOCCommish also spoke to public safety partners at @nycparks and many passers-by about the future of our agency including our transition to borough-based jails. The visit was also part of an interagency collaboration with NYC DCAS to encourage the public to work for NYC government and learn about the civil service process. NYC DOC Officers help to keep correctional facilities in the largest municipality in the country safe and they earn more than $109K after 5.5 years on the job. This rewarding career also offers retirement with full pay and benefits for life after 20 years of service at any age. Learn more today by visiting nyc.gov/JoinTheBoldest. #ChooseBold #WorkforceWednesday

View more highlights of #NYCDOC heroes marching in the 59th Annual West Indian American Day Parade in #CrownHeights today at bit.ly/4xMjMCW. #HappyCarnival #JoinTheBoldest

.@NYCMayor and #NYCDOC Commissioner Stanley Richards presided over the agency’s annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 4. This year’s commemoration, held across from the Samuel L. Perry Center on #RikersIsland, also recognized the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. NYC DOC emergency responders boldly answered the call for help on 9/11 and during its aftermath. Having the specialized training in multiple areas of emergency and crisis response, they did not hesitate to mobilize and respond to Ground Zero during a very catastrophic time in our nation’s history. On Friday, the Department added the names of three fallen members to its September 11 memorial. To date, our agency has lost 45 9/11 heroes, many who died from cancers caused by the toxic dust and debris exposure at Ground Zero. Yet, the story of their heroism remains untold in most historical records. This year, The Boldest Family continues efforts to right this wrong and honor our 9/11 responders with heartfelt respect, recognition, gratitude and support. “A quarter of a century may have passed, but in our hearts, September 11, 2001, can still bring us back to the fear, uncertainty, and hurt we felt that day. Today, we remember. We honor the bravery and heroism displayed on September 11. We remember the heroes who waded across hot debris and through piles of ash, searching for survivors. We remember the staff who restored communications for first responders and brought generators from Rikers Island to provide power and light at Ground Zero. We remember the men and women who led evacuations, transported supplies, and supported our partner agencies when our city needed them most. Their stories are an essential part of the history of September 11,” @DOCCommish said. “But they can never capture the fullness of the Department of Correction’s response. The heroism shown that day by rescue workers, drivers and harbor masters; K-9 handlers and machine operators; technicians and telecommunications experts — that heroism did not end when the sun set on September 11. It dawned again on September 12 and September 13 and every morning that followed." With leadership from 9/11 hero retired Warden Richard Palmer, Friday’s ceremony included reflections from retired Chief of Department Robert N. Davoren, who led the agency’s response during 9/11 and the rescue, relief and recovery efforts. Retired Warden John Scudero, a 9/11 hero who served as the commander of our Special Operations Division (SOD), also shared his recount of the Department’s exemplary bravery. The Department’s Chaplaincy Unit was also honored for providing prayer, comfort and guidance 25 years ago during a period of immense loss, tragedy and emotions. Thank you to our special guests @NYCCouncil Council Member @PhilWongNYC, @1strcf President Jillian Crane, the #TrueReckoning, #TierRats and #BlueKnights motorcycle organizations, and @Suffolk_Sheriff for uniting with our agency in remembering the 9/11 heroism of The Boldest. This year and every year, we continue our vow as a family to honor their service and support their loved ones. View more at bit.ly/4hciye6. #WeWereThere #WeRemember #WeWillNeverForget

Statement from #NYCDOC Commissioner Stanley Richards in regards to an attack on four uniformed staff members in the clinic at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center (OBCC) today on #RikersIsland. Our members of service suffered injuries while bringing the situation under control, were transported to the hospital and have been released from the hospital. “Our staff perform a difficult and honorable job to keep our city safe. We will never tolerate any act of violence in our jails. We will support our members of service in their recovery and will pursue accountability on their behalf.”

Thank you to the @Sept11Memorial for hosting an exclusive preview of the new In Their Honor exhibition for members of the New York City Department of Correction. @DOCCommish, Executive Leadership, staff and retired 9/11 heroes toured the exhibit yesterday in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The exhibit, which officially opens on Sept. 12, examines the enduring impact of service inspired by the 9/11 attacks. #WeWereThere #WeRemember #NeverForget