To start off @NYCCouncil hearing ref #covid19 in City jails & Rikers @CorrectionNYC @CynthiaBrann & her team show us how seriously that they are taking #SocialDistancing protocols. No gloves, sitting within six feet of each other.
Is there catering buffet-style off-frame too?

CM @KeithPowersNYC starts off hearing w a tally of #Covid19 + cases on #Rikers:
~360 detained/incarcerated
~1100 @CorrectionNYC staff
~118 @nycHealthy Correctional Health Svcs Staffers.

+3 ppl caged have died but we don't know how many have passed after being released he notes

hearing today will cover 3 @NYCCouncil bills:
1) requiring @CorrectionNYC & CHS 2 issue reports during public health emergencies
2) maximum fee allowed when xferring $ to person in custody
3) amend @nyccharter adding a new section creating a local conditional release commission

CM @RoryLancman, Chair @NYCCouncil #JusticeSystems Committee says he still hasn't had answer ref: cumulative total # of positive #Covid19 tests on #Rikers but "looks fwrd to @CorrectionNYC testimony today."

Then makes sure all DOC brass are SWORN in b/f giving testimony.

HA

@CynthiaBrann @CorrectionNYC commish has spoken for 5 minutes wo saying anything of substance. Here is her schtick:
-robust sanitization procedures checked by sups 9x/day
-soap and cleaning supplies FREE to ppl caged
--all staff and ppl in custody have been provided "ample PPE"

--staff must submit to temp/symptom check
-operating at an occupancy rate of 49%
-majority of dorms <1/2 full
-painting chairs 2 support "social distancing"
-posters/slide show @ intake & flyers
-UOF <47% vs to month b/f
50% fewer slashings/21% reduction of assults on staff

-hotline 4 chaplin svcs
-virtual visits program
-activity packets for ppl detained
-tablets provided to all ppl in custody
-since 3/17 provided detailed data to #NYCBOC
-in communication w advocacy groups--huh? really?
-"committed to transparency"
-doesn't like @NYCCouncil bills

now #PatsyYang Dir of Correctional Health Svcs ( @nychealthy #CHS) briefs ref team's actions 2 curb #covid19 at #Rikers. To her L is @RossMacDonaldMD.
-Btwn March-May roughly 1/2 of their patients 50yr & older were released
-they screened every patient for covid prior to release

-2889 quarantine beds were occupied on #Rikers
-testing rate on #Rikers was 4.23x higher than rest of NYC
-tested a-symptomatic patients and all NEW patients
-as of 5/15 antigen tests 1270/570 of which were +
-proactively pursue all lab resources
-maintained health care svs w all

@nycHealthy built new CHA workflows & systems during pandemic:
-safely managed patients w/out "burdening hospital partners"
-screening at EVERY point of CJ process: arraignment, intake, release
-Tech minimized disruptions in care (tele-health)
-7pm shouts not heard on #Rikers :(

now @KeithPowersNYC asks CHS/ @CorrectionNYC ref: HOW decision is made btwn at least 6-7 NYC agencies about WHO IS RELEASED form #RIkers? Who is making the call when there is "disagreement btwn agencies?"
GOOD QUESTION!

@CrimJusticeNYC 's @danamariekaplan responds to @KeithPowersNYC ? ref release calls:
says that many were "individual decisions made by state ref parole"
other decisions made by @CorrectionNYC w @nycmayor's office "informed" by @nycHealthy health data.

CM @KeithPowersNYC asks if there are STILL people w health concerns caged on Rikers who haven't been taken out of that setting for a better health care setting and @NYCHealthy CHS Director Patsy Yang audibly guffaws out loud: "YES" she says with a big pause bf continuing...

. @KeithPowersNYC now wants more data:
Q how many total tests?
Q how many tests per day?
Q how many positives?
We get data ref 5/15 tests but not data on overall symptomatic/testing/antibody/positives..

@CorrectionNYC FTC Villanueva, in charge of monitoring workforce healthiness of DOC staff, reveals he tested + for #Covid19 & goes over procedure 4 clearing staff b/f they can return to work after taking sick leave 4 symptoms or + test. Says they are using BIO REFERENCE tests

. @nychealthy now answers a few more of @KeithPowersNYC ?? to CHS/DOC:
--average/day less than 8 ppl/day hospitalized for covid in @CorrectionNYC custody
--March 25-May 15 34 ppl hospitalized for covid
--No idea how many ppl in custody are/have been on ventilators

@CorrectionNYC commish @CynthiaBrann reveals that during time when approx 34% of her staff was out sick that many people had to be extended into "3rd tours" that mandated they work 24 hrs straight on #rikers.
wow.

now @RoryLancman wants to know if 5/15 data offered by CHS earlier was was cumulative of all testing?
#PatsyYang confirms that yes 1270 total tests have been administered of which 534 positive.
CM Lancman demands to know why it has taken so long to get this number made public!?

CM @RoryLancman wants to know how long it takes to get test results back?
24 hrs says CHS
but adds usually takes ~ 3days to display symptoms after exposure to #Covid19 on #Rikers.
-CM wants to know how ppl are separated while waiting on results but we don't exactly get answer

now CM @RoryLancman drills down into how long new admits to our City jails are kept separate if they test negative and are put in GP after less than 10 days in isolation in intake housing: how many ppl are getting infected by these newly-caged ppl who were cleared but r carriers?

@CorrectionNYC Brenda Cook now clarifies that new admit housing is for an "extended" period amount of time @ MDC in single-cell housing until they are tested & cleared & moved: "after 72 hours" but she still doesn't answer @RoryLancman's question completely. He tries to clarify.

...CM Lancman explains that if a new admit is exposed to another new admit at the end of their clearance/isolation period and still tests negative and is a-symptomatic and then moved to GP and then only after shows symptoms and tests positive what is DOC doing to prevent this?

@CorrectionNYC Brenda Cook replies coldly: "You are assuming, Councilman, that this is the only prevention strategy we have in place."

But then doesn't explain which other strategies are in place to capture the spread via the scenario that @RoryLancman has just described.

drr

. @RoryLancman's last ? to @CorrectionNYC quotes #NYCBOC report on #Covid19 safety precautions that describes phones only cleaned 3x for every 45 uses on #Rikers.
"Can you tell us what you personally are doing to make sure these operational changes....are actually happening>???"

@CorrectionNYC @CynthiaBrann tries to answer:
"Some people choose not 2 use [sanitizer provided]..some ppl choose to use a sock...
with regard to BOC audit that was 12days in April. We have increased our audit response in our processes. A lot of it is education by staff leaders"

. @RoryLancman addresses @CorrectionNYC @CynthiaBrann:

"I just want to have level of confidence, so that I can answer my constituents...We haven't seen you: I just want 2 know that you're handling this: that you're leading this effort in as much as a hands-on way as possible.."

now @CarlinaRivera tries to get an answer out of @RossMacDonaldMD & CHS if there are still ppl caged in our City jails that should be released b/c of medical pre-existing conditions but he politely side-steps making accusations vs his bosses of not letting enough ppl go...

CW @CarlinaRivera asks @nycHealthy 1) how ppl locked up on Rikers are able 2 contact doctors 2 report symptoms?
2) how many people caged have tested positive and then RECOVERED from #COVID19.

#PatsyYang itemizes CHS comms plan & then time runs out and 2nd question not answered.

. @CrimJusticeNYC's @danamariekaplan responds to a ?? from Queens CM #BobHolden (Why Queens WHY??) ref are ppl being released into the shelter system?
Dana says: hotel rooms 4 to everyone and robust referral system in place.
Next bob tries 2 air some foolishness & is shut down.

. @CMFarahLouis wants 2 know 1) why @CorrectionNYC has ordered COs still testing +4 #covid 2 return 2 work? DOC FTC Villanueva pretends doesn't know what she is talking about.
& 2) How facilitated increased video visiting? DOC answer: 72 new kiosks & 3400 video visits facilitated

CM @bradlander asks:
1) data on #JPAY fees & deposits
2) what is @CorrectionNYC opinion ref @NYPDnews is fear-mongering ref drop in population #Rikers: is there community risk from drop in ppl caged?
@CynthiaBrann answers & defers 2 @CrimJusticeNYC ref on decline in jail size.

Important 2 note that @CorrectionNYC pretends they don't have any #Jpay data on deposits and their fees collected. This is tucked at end of comments in response to @bradlander so no presses them on this BS answer. DOC knows hows how much & hearing today is ON JPAY. No excuses

. @KalmanYaeger is furious @CorrectionNYC has responded to @NYCCouncil bills with such passive double-talk: "Are you for the bills or aren't you??" he demands from @CynthiaBrann...

"I've never in all my years seen a dept that doesn't even read CC bills b/f showing up 2 hearing."

As committee chair @KeithPowersNYC getsmore ?? b/f @CorrectionNYC disappears into black hole. Asks 1) why ppl on #Rikers calling 311 to report covid symptoms are having those minutes count against their daily telephone allotment? and 2) if those calls are being recorded.??

@CorrectionNYC Brenda Cook says that all Rikers calls to 311 are "hosted" by DOC and not the 3rd party phone provider so there isn't a chance for recording those calls and that ppl calling 311 from #Rikers aren't being tolled for those minutes.

. @RoryLancman asks @NYCHealthy #CHS & @CorrectionNYC 2 compare risk of contracting #Covid19 while caged in our City jails/ #Rikers vs just being in "general NYC Community..."
->>>"shape-shifting" response but CHS admits that rate = "Much more significant in the jail setting."

Now brand-new Exec Director of the #NYCBOC #margaretEgan is testifying @NYCCouncil hearing. She's new & a city insider so expect her to walk the walk.
Waiting for her to say something new. She discusses BOC daily #Covid19 updates & new crisis management system in the jails...

1) Egan jabs borough DA's for not releasing enough ppl subtly:
2) discusses #NYCBOC's 5/11 #Covid19 report--linked here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/boc/meetings/may-12-2020.page which is good & she should be proud.
She discusses a spike in complaints to BOC ~330 since March from ppl on #Rikers ref conditions

. @cohen_bobby, a long-standing favorite member of the #NYCBOC for advocates now testifies that city's efforts to de-carcerate was essential in curbing complete spread on #Rikers.
Now emphasizes that despite this over last 3wks jail pop has SURGED again & we can't overlook.

Dir of Research for #NYCBOC #EmilyTurner answers question from @keithPowers ref what kinds of complaints were filed w BOC during pandemic: she reports roughly 1/3 of the ~360 complaints filed since March of 2020 were ref concerns over medical care/access to PPE/social distancing

Next @keithpowers asks about a "likelihood of a 2nd wave of #Covid19 on #Rikers??"
#BOC director @MargaretEgan responds that "a 2nd wave is inevitable & I feel we are well-poised to respond & to learn from lessons experienced during 1st wave."

SO WHY IS POPULATION GOING UP???

. @Rorylancman asks #NYCBOC chair #MargaretEgan if she thinks new admits onto #Rikers should b quarantined from general population for full 10 days b/f integration (he never got an answer from @CorrectionNYC) & she replies:
"Whatever minimizes transmission makes the most sense."

she adds:
"reducing # of admissions into jail system--we're starting to see rise.."
CM Lancman cuts off: "I was surprised 2 learn that you (BOC) did not have data--have you anywhere made a list of all types of data you would want & need to do your job that you have not gotten?"

answer back from Egan =bifurcated--yes & no "they have data but they have conversations ref data & oversight in this process--Its ongoing process & we will continue to monitor DOC response & to raise issues.."
[read: she works for City so she knows how to not embarrass her boss.]

[Honestly poor, sweet #EmilyTurner, Director of Policy for #NYCBOC looks TERRIFIED.]

@CrimJusticeNYC director #ElizabethGlazer is now testifying by reading from a paper on her desk: haven't seen her look up in the 5 min she's been reciting: nothing new has been said yet.
"smaller, safer, fairer justice system challenges....etc.." same old schtick from her....

.@Keithpowersasks @CrimJusticeNYC why there's been 107% increase in #Rikers intakes over past month?
Liz Glazer:
"dramatic effort to review everyone in custody 4 release causing dramatic discharge which has slowed b/c 'tension btwn public health & public safety increased."

OH???

[but @mocj answer ref 'releases' does not equal question about > # of intakes into #rikers over past month]
Note to @keithpowers: ask this question again please: keep asking until you get an answer--esp ask @manhattanda @bronxda @BrooklynDA @QueensDAKatz & @StatenIslandDA !!!

now @keithpowers asks same question to @mocj that he has asked @nychealthy, @CorrectionNYC & NYCBOC without receiving an answer: "are there still ppl in the jails that shouldn't be there b/c of a medical condition?"
#ElizabethGlazer refuses to answer question too...
Keep asking!

. @RoryLancman points out 95% of ppl released b/c of #covid19 who were city-sentenced did not re-offend & asks @CrimJusticeNYC if she would call this success?
#ElizabethGlazer responds: it is "very very heartening" but stops short at agreeing w chair of Justice Systems Committee.

. @RoryLancman persists w @mocj ref process of deciding releasses from #rikers & gets out of #DeannaLogan that MOCJ consulted w "DHS" @NYCDHS "to determine underlying medical conditions" but is she conflating CHS w DHS or did she catch herself? She repeats DHS several times..hmmm

so, #DeannaLogan surely knows difference btwn DHS & CHS: there was some kind of part that DHS played in determining if people could be released to homes and this played in decision-making.
Somehow she just doesn't want us to know this... please ask her to clarify @RoryLancman ?

Now thankfully @mocj director #ElizabethGlazer is checking @BobHoldenNYC for making outrageous statements about crimes allegedly committed by ppl who were released from #Rikers b/c of #covid19. Thank you Elizabeth@!!!!
Bob do you get a 2nd check from @NYCPBA?

now borough DA's & special Narco Prosecutors get to testify. 1st up #BridgetBrennan:
-73 ppl prosecuted by her office since mid-march
-identified defendants qualified 4 release
-often identified ppl they had wanted released were still caged.
-approved 17/42 apps for release..

Brennan describes defendant caged on multiple Fs stemming from videoof him w firearms/et al after he had been released on parole.
Her office opposes his release even though has pre-existing health condition.
Her analysis =he receives better access to testing & med care IN JAIL.

So now DA's have a tech tool that analyzes our compliance/access to medical care & factors that probability into likelihood that we should be released if we have pre-existing medical conditions that make us susceptible to #covid19?
Where are they pulling data? Insurance records?

Also Brennan reviews case of someone who was released & returned 2 his apt building & "resumed drug-dealing with a steady-stream of customers entering his building and purchasing drugs while the releasee was still wearing DOC clothing according to his landlord who reported him.."

@snpnyc
always liked #BridgetBrennan but like her a bit less after this testimony. Its astonishing that they evaluate likelihood to access medical care as factor in releasing people & also that she highlighted dispositives only.
[n.b. she resembles #MaryMcCord a little bit.]

@StatenIslandDA is clearly planning on running for higher political office b/c he is on a stump so high up in the sky with his testimony at this hearing today that we can't even make out the color of the bottom of his shoes.
Please @KeithPowersNYC @RoryLancman SHUT HIM UP.

@statenislandda really hates idea that is basis of @NYCCouncil bill on for discussion today that would create a #ReleaseCommission by altering @NYCCHarter. He calls it "unconstitutional" & abrogative of Judges' power."
Must look into this. The bill itself is light on language.

"Justice though do to the accused is due the accuser also" says @StatenIslandDA quoting #BenjaminCardoza in conclusion.
There was some there, there. but only at the end.

@brooklynda Policy wonk Jill Harris reads from paper on her desk for 7min. Into minute 8 starts 2 describe process her office has undergone 2 determine who should receive a #mercyrelease from #Rikers b/c of #Covid19:

from 3/12- 5/15 328 people fewer on #Rikers from BKLYN.
-DA personally reviewed each case
-reached out 2 victims & asked opinions ref release
-did not consent 2 aggrssive crime, rape, murder.

ends w:
"Here's where we are: we can't #FreeThemAll: some ppl need to stay in Rikers."

@bronxda Chief ADA #DerekLynton [who has booming british brogue of #GordanRamsey & is hard to not listen to] presents an itinerary of kinds of cases his office reviewed 4 release w rigor but doesn't unhand data...It is hard not to like this guy even when he spews dubious sh*t]

"there will B accountability metted out w a fair hand but @Bronxda is unable to endorse the @nyccouncil proposed amendments b/c of several reasons including it is arbitrary in language--excludes decisions of judges & prosecutors."
[We get this in last 30 secs of 10 min testimony]

@queensda Chief ADA #Jennifer Naiburg says her office has released ~560 of 1100 people that were caged on #Rikers since early Feb 2020--a 50% decarceration
-- and of those 560 released 300 were released in first month of #Covid19 pandemic.

of course @QueensDAKatz's office isn't in favor of @nyccouncil bill to created a #covid19 "release commission" to decide who would be able to be freed from #Rikers amid pandemic. #JenniferNaiburg reports that the circumnavigating of parole boards, DAs & judges doesn't jive.

now @RoryLancman interrupts to make two points & to attempt to get agreement among borough DAs:
1) a serious health issue at #Rikers island & that rate of + tests for #Covid19 is higher than in elsewhere in city
2) medical care at #Rikers isn't as comprehensive as on outside.