NCJ Number
76092
Date Published
1980
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This report presents recommendations for alleviating the unnecessary hardships New York City's pretrial detainees often suffer.
Abstract
In 1979, more than 50,000 persons were admitted to city jails while awaiting trial; the overwhelming majority were poor and black or Hispanic. The majority of these persons were confined because of an inability to post the required money bail figure; and many were detained on Rikers Island in correctional facilities about 3 hours away from the city's courts. Despite being unconvicted and presumed innocent, these persons suffered the worst kinds of physical privations, loss of contact with families and friends, and difficulties in communicating with lawyers. Among the suggested reforms is the releasing of newly arrested persons as early as possible -- after booking in some cases. Resources should be made available to the city's pretrial release agency for expanding pretrial release activities. Furthermore, efforts should be made to develop a citywide network that would allow for the posting of bail at numerous places in each borough -- some open 24 hours per day -- to facilitate posting prior to transportation to jail. Also, judges should follow the relevant statutes and use money bail only as a last resort, and not as an instrument of revenge or as a means of preventive detention. Persons awaiting trial should not be housed on Rikers Island, because its inaccessibility adds to the trauma and isolation that recently arrested persons experience and makes it unsuitable for a population which must make frequent court appearances and maintain regular consultations with lawyers. Suggestions for interim improvements are presented. Appendixes contain maps of Rikers Island and a description of a visit there; footnotes with references are included.