Stanley Richards speaks during a press conference New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted in Brooklyn on Saturday, Jan. 31. (New York City Mayor's Office)
In his first remarks as commissioner, Richards aligned himself closely with Mamdani’s vision and rejected what he described as a punishment-centered approach to incarceration.
"Today we turn the page and we start a new era under Mayor Mamdani," Richards said.
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A security fence surrounds the inmate housing on New York's Rikers Island correctional facility in New York. (AP/Bebeto Matthews)
The appointment comes as New York City’s jail system remains under heightened federal scrutiny. Earlier this week, a federal judge appointed an outside remediation manager to oversee reforms at Rikers Island after years of violence, staff shortages and federal court findings that city leadership failed to fix conditions inside the jails. Rikers was originally set to be demolished by August 2027 by former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Asked whether he had spoken with the remediation manager, Mamdani said his administration had already been in contact and emphasized cooperation.
"My administration has, and we look forward to working with the remediation manager on improving conditions in our city’s jails, both for those in custody and for correction officers," Mamdani said.
The appointment has drawn caution from the union representing correction officers, which warned that safety must come before political ideology.
In a statement, Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association President Benny Boscio said the jails "cannot and will not operate as safely as possible if the concerns of our members are brushed aside," adding that Richards must demonstrate a commitment to "putting safety and security before any political ideology."
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Whether Richards’ reform-focused background will translate into improved safety and order inside New York City’s jails remains an open question as he prepares to take over the troubled system.
Mamdani’s office confirmed with Fox News Digital that Richards’ first day in office will be Feb. 16.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-taps-ex-con-lead-nyc-jails-rikers-remains-under-federal-oversight