Ponte retires
Joseph Ponte resigned as New York City's correction commissioner after a scathing report by the Department of Investigation found that he and 20 other senior-level employees regularly abused take-home vehicle privileges. The DOI report found Ponte used his city-issued SUV for 90 days' worth of out-of-state trips, mostly to his home in Maine.
NYC jails commissioner to resign: Report
The Department of Investigation issued a scathing 17-page report that found Joseph Ponte and 20 other senior-level employees at the Correction Department regularly abused take-home vehicle privileges, costing city taxpayers thousands of dollars.
DOI vs. DOC
An internal affairs official at Rikers Island is facing accusations that his subordinates secretly eavesdropped on New York City investigators. A Department of Correction spokesman confirmed on Monday that Gregory Kuczinski was placed on restricted duty in response to the allegations.
Officials misused city vehicles
The head of New York City's jail system spent 90 days out of the city last year even amid violence problems at the troubled Rikers Island jail complex, the city Department of Investigation said Friday. Investigators found Commissioner Joseph Ponte took his city-owned vehicle to Maine in violation of guidelines and other Department of Correction officials misused their agency vehicles with trips to Cape Cod, the Hamptons and other destinations.
Rikers Island plan
Members of an independent commission created a report that recommends New York City close the jail complex on Rikers Island over the next 10 years. Mayor Bill de Blasio quickly voiced his support. But three unions representing correction officers came together Tuesday in Lower Manhattan to fight back against the report, which they say ignores the real issues facing city jails.
Rikers Island jail closure planned
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vows to close Riker Island.
Panel recommends closing Rikers Island Jail
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito are expected to support the recommendation of an independent panel that will call for the closing of Rikers Island Jail, reports the WSJ.
Speedier trials in New York?
Akeem Browder is pushing Albany for speedier trials. He knows the judicial process and its pitfalls after his brother Kalief Browder spent 3 years in Rikers Island but never went to trial. He went in as a 16-year-old and was released just before his 20th birthday. As a result of the trauma endured while incarcerated, Browder took his own life in 2015.