File #: Int 1184-2018    Version: * Name: Books in city correctional facilities.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Criminal Justice
On agenda: 10/31/2018
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to books in city correctional facilities
Sponsors: Daniel Dromm
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would require the department of corrections to maintain a library offering general interest books to inmates in New York City jails. The library would be open during normal waking hours and incarcerated individuals would be permitted to access the library and borrow books, except during lockdown times. These books must be maintained in good condition and may be censored only if they may compromise the safety of the facility or provide instructions for escape. The department of corrections would also be required to report on the number of books it receives, the source of those books, and if those books are censored, the reason for censorship.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1184, 2. Int. No. 1184, 3. October 31, 2018 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 10-31-2018, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - October 31, 2018, 6. Committee Report 2/26/19, 7. Hearing Testimony 2/26/19, 8. Hearing Transcript 2/26/19

Int. No. 1184

 

By Council Member Dromm

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to books in city correctional facilities

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 9 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 9-155 to read as follows:

§ 9-155 Access to publications. a. The commissioner shall provide inmates with access to a library containing new or used publications from publishers, organizations, and outside donors. Such access shall be offered within 48 hours of the inmate’s admission whether or not affirmatively requested by the inmate.

b. Such library shall offer a variety of fiction and non-fiction publications, which shall not be censored unless they contain instructions on the manufacture or use of dangerous weapons or explosives, plans for escape, or other materials that may compromise the safety and security of the facility.

c. Publications offered to inmates shall be maintained in good condition.

d. Inmates shall be permitted to borrow such publications to read outside the library.

e. Such library shall be open during from at least 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m., and access by inmates shall not be restricted except during lockdown times.

f. No later than December 1, 2019, and on or before December 1 annually thereafter, the department shall report to the mayor and the council, and post on its website, the number of publications provided in each facility under the jurisdiction of the department, the source of such publications and, if such publications were censored, the reason for their censorship.

§ 2.  This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, provided that the commissioner of correction shall take all necessary action, including the promulgation of rules, before such effective date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JG

LS # 7659

10/11/18 4:18 PM