New York City's new correction commissioner, Stanley Richards, is the first formerly incarcerated person to oversee the city's jails. Richards, who spent two years at Rikers Island for robbery as a young man, now runs the Department of Correction. Appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani in January, his office is located across from his old cell block.
A Journey of Redemption
Richards, 65, recently visited his old 10-by-7-foot cell, which was emptied of prisoners three years ago due to deteriorating conditions. Reflecting on his past, he said, 'It doesn't give me bad feelings. I offended my community and committed a crime, and I paid my price for it. The truth of my story is a story of redemption.'
Critical Juncture for Rikers
Richards takes over at a challenging time. A federal judge appointed Rikers' first 'remediation manager' in January to address violence and health care issues. Last year, 15 people died in Department of Correction custody, mostly from medical problems, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. A 2019 city law mandates the closure of all jail facilities on Rikers Island by 2027, though the deadline is considered practically impossible to fulfill.
Lived Experience and Professional Expertise
Richards grew up in a troubled Bronx housing project, joined a gang, and cycled in and out of jails for over a decade. After his release in 1991, he worked at the Fortune Society, a nonprofit helping inmates reenter society, eventually becoming CEO. He also served in leadership roles under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. Ben Heller of the Vera Institute said Richards' appointment sends a 'hugely powerful' message that treating people with dignity and keeping communities safe go hand in hand.
Commitment to Closing Rikers
Richards has pledged to work with federal overseer Nicholas Deml, a shift from former Mayor Eric Adams' opposition to federal oversight. The city recently opened a jail unit at Bellevue Hospital for inmates with acute medical needs, allowing the closure of a 1930s Rikers building in June. Richards is also working with court officials to process cases efficiently and expand diversion programs.
Addressing Jailhouse Violence
Richards plans to fill 1,300 staff vacancies to reduce long hours and unsafe conditions. The department employs over 7,400 people, including 5,700 uniformed officers. He is also launching programs to prepare inmates for life outside jail and will abide by a city law restricting solitary confinement, which Adams had opposed. 'This has been a system that society has said, ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’ Has not paid attention to, has demonized, has blamed, has ostracized,' Richards said. 'Those days are over. We are gonna walk in the light. We’re gonna lift this place up.'
