On October 13, 2021, Governor Hochul and Mayor De Blasio announced a plan to transfer the majority of women and Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, NonBinary, and Intersex (TGNCNBI) people who are incarcerated by DOC at Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) on Rikers Island to New York State DOCCS facilities (the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and the Taconic Correctional Facility). The Immigrant Defense Project joins public defenders, organizers and directly impacted people currently at RMSC in condemning this plan and in calling for the Governor and City government to use their existing authority to decarcerate by releasing people from Rikers.
DOCCS has long collaborated with ICE to facilitate deportation and the State laws governing communication with ICE are different from the City laws. For this reason, there may be significant negative impacts for non-citizens if transferred to DOCCS custody. Counsel will not be notified in advance of a transfer and therefore, must take affirmative steps to protect clients who may face negative consequences as a result of transfer. While transfers have been scheduled, written guidance from DOC has not yet been made publicly available.
Below are information sheets for defense attorneys and immigration counsel who have clients detained at Rose M. Singer Center.
- For 18-b panel defense attorneys (updated 10/22/2021)
- For other defense attorneys (updated 10/22/2021)
- For immigration counsel (updated 10/22/2021)