| For Immediate Release Point of Contact: Jahtah Brown | Jbrown@council.nyc.gov | (917) 565-2404
City Hall, NY – On February 13th 2025, the New York City Council passed critical legislation (Int.735) introduced by Council Member Althea Stevens to address violence and harassment against Department of Correction staff, particularly women, ensuring accountability, protection, and necessary mental health resources.
“This bill is not just about reports and statistics—it’s about accountability, protection, and compassion,” said Council Member Stevens. “The violence and harassment these staff members, especially women, endure cannot go unchecked any longer. And that sentiment stands for every industry. It doesn’t matter if you are entry-level or a seasoned executive; everyone deserves an environment where they feel safe, valued, and respected as an individual.”
The legislation mandates the Department of Correction to publicly report incidents of violence and harassment against staff, bringing much-needed transparency to a system that has long operated in the shadows. Furthermore, it requires that correctional staff have access to essential mental health resources to heal and continue performing their jobs safely and effectively.
With the majority of the City Council supporting this legislation, it underscores the city’s collaborative effort to prioritize humanity and justice. Correctional staff put their well-being on the line every day, and the City Council must ensure they have the protections and support necessary to do their jobs without fear. They deserve to work with dignity, just like everyone else.
"Sexual violence against Department of Correction staff is too often overlooked in the fight against sexual assault in our city jails. The DOC must not only report these incidents but also provide the support services to help address the trauma caused by sexual violence," said Council Member Sandy Nurse, Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice. "I commend Council Member Althea Stevens for prioritizing this majority women-of-color workforce because their safety matters just as much as any city employee."
"Int.0735 addresses the systemic harassment prevalent in the corrections field today. This legislation provides long overdue accountability necessary to effect positive change in the system. Ensuring the security and mental health of our correctional staff benefits all stakeholders. I can not think of any reason not to proceed with this legislation to assure the most basic right to work in a safe environment." said New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.
“As we continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and workplace safety, I commend Council Member Althea Stevens for championing Int 0735-2024, a critical piece of legislation that will ensure the Department of Correction reports on incidents of sexual assault and harassment against staff in City jails. Correctional staff—many of whom are women and people of color—deserve safe working conditions, access to mental health resources, and the assurance that their concerns will not be ignored. This bill is a necessary step toward protecting those who protect us, and I proudly support its passage,” said Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams.
"Ensuring the safety and well-being of our correctional staff is not just a policy decision — it’s a moral obligation. I am proud to support Council Member Althea Stevens’ bill, Int. 735, which brings much-needed transparency to workplace harassment correctional staff face while guaranteeing access to critical mental health resources.” Majority Leader Farías emphasizes, “ These dedicated professionals, many of them women and people of color, deserve a safe, supportive work environment. This legislation is a necessary step in safeguarding those who serve our city, and I stand firmly in support of its passage."
“Protecting those who protect us is not just a responsibility—it’s a moral obligation. Too often, correctional staff, particularly women, face unacceptable violence and harassment with little recourse. This legislation brings much-needed transparency, accountability, and support to those who risk their well-being in service to our city. I applaud Council Member Althea Stevens for her leadership in ensuring that dignity, safety, and justice extend to every workplace, including our correctional facilities,” said Council Member Yusef Salaam.
"Staff retention and high vacancies across agencies have depleted access to vital city resources and impacted the quality of attention needed in our most vulnerable spaces such as our city jails. Corrections officers are exposed to a high-risk environment and need additional protection and access to care in their workplace, especially as we face an almost 16% vacancy rate at the Department of Corrections," said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor and co-prime sponsor.
Intro 735 is vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of correctional staff. By mandating the reporting of sexual assault and sexual harassment in City jails, we are taking a necessary step to holding correctional institutions accountable for the safety of their staff and ensuring that investigations are thorough. Additionally, by guaranteeing access to mental health resources for correctional staff, we are empowering those who work in high-pressure environments to take care of their mental health and well-being. It is imperative that correctional staff are protected, treated with dignity, and have the resources they need to maintain their physical and mental health.” Council Member Chris Banks explains,“Safeguarding correctional staff’s health and well-being will also promote a more dignified environment in correctional facilities. The ability of correctional staff to ensure the dignity of incarcerated individuals is dependent on their own well-being. Correctional staff must be given the tools they need to manage the stress and trauma they experience on the job, in order to create a safe and respectful environment for all who live and work in correctional facilities.”
“As Chair of the Health Committee, I know that workplace safety and mental health are critical to the well-being of all employees, including those who serve in our correctional facilities,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “Int. 735 is a crucial step toward ensuring that correctional staff—especially women—are protected from violence and harassment and have access to the mental health resources they need. This legislation reinforces our commitment to transparency, accountability, and dignity for all workers. I am proud to support this bill and stand with my colleagues in prioritizing safety and justice for those who keep our city running.”
“If employees in any workplace are assaulted or harassed, every employer must take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again and work to provide resources for victims. That includes those who work on Rikers Island. I am proud to work with Council Member Stevens and all of my colleagues in the council to pass this overdue transparency measure to protect staff on Rikers Island. Together, we will ensure the safety of all of those on Rikers Island,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan
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