Correction, Commission of

Agency Web Site: http://www.scoc.ny.gov/

Mission

The State Commission of Correction (SCOC) works to provide for a safe, stable, and humane correctional system statewide by: conducting regular evaluations of local correctional facilities to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements; monitoring, adjusting, and enhancing prison and jail population capacity; overseeing new jail facility development; assisting jails in the implementation of new correctional technologies; investigating prisoner mortality; providing advice on staffing, health and mental health services, and advising the Governor on correctional policy.

Organization and Staffing

SCOC consists of a three-member Commission that is appointed by the Governor. The Commission is primarily a field services agency, comprised of specialized units to concentrate on statutory requirements, youth facilities, facility construction, and jail minimum standard regulatory compliance. A forensic medical unit, along with legal and support service units complete the agency's organizational structure.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2024 Executive Budget recommends SCOC State Operation appropriations of $3.86 million, which is an increase of $0.47 million from FY 2023. This includes funding for temporary staff to review and approve any plans or specifications related to the Borough Based Jail project. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 44 FTEs, which is unchanged from FY 2023.

Program Highlights

Facility Monitoring and Evaluation

Commission field staff conducts annual visits to audit the level of compliance for select minimum standards at every county jail and New York City Department of Correction (DOC) facility. Those standards identified as being essential to the jail’s safe and secure operation (e.g., Security and Supervision, Sanitation, and Incarcerated Individual Grievances) will be assessed on a more frequent basis. Similar auditing schedules have been developed and implemented for the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) secure facilities and the newly established specialized secure juvenile detention facilities for older youth.

Facility Reportable Incidents

In fulfilling its oversight and regulatory responsibilities, the Commission requires that all local correctional facilities report significant incidents that endanger incarcerated individuals or staff or disrupt facility operations. Beginning in 2016, incidents are now reported by facilities via the eJusticeNY Integrated Justice Portal, which allows for immediate agency notification and enhanced search capabilities.

Incarcerated Individual Healthcare and Mortality Investigation

In conjunction with the Commission’s Medical Review Board, the Forensic Medical Unit investigates and reports on deaths of the incarcerated population. Additionally, the Forensic Unit evaluates the health care provided to incarcerated individuals in local correctional facilities and provides technical assistance in the development of health care delivery procedures.

Incarcerated Individual Complaints

Complaints from incarcerated individuals, their families, advocates, elected officials, and other State and local agencies are received by the Commission. Prior to review and disposition by Commission field staff, received complaints are classified and electronically logged. Health complaints are referred directly to the Commission’s Forensic Medical Unit for review and follow-up when appropriate. An electronic query of the complaints received from a particular facility is generated by field staff as part of their preparation for future site visits.

Incarcerated Individual Grievances

Every county correctional facility is required to establish, implement, and maintain a formal grievance program. This program allows incarcerated individuals a process at the facility level to address their complaints regarding written or unwritten facility policies, procedures, rules, practices, programs, or the action or inaction of any person within the facility. If a grievance is denied at the facility level, a grievant has the option to appeal that disposition to the Commission’s Citizen’s Policy and Complaint Review Council. A similar grievance program has been instituted in the newly established specialized secure juvenile detention facilities for older youth.

Local Jail Transfers

Any transfer of an incarcerated individual from one county jail to another, including the NYC Department of Correction (DOC), requires the approval and written order of the Commission. Often required for reasons related to overcrowding, safety or vital medical and mental health services, there are normally approximately 100 incarcerated individuals transferred throughout the state at any given time. In cooperation with the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), the Commission has developed an application on the eJusticeNY Integrated Justice Portal, whereby local transfers can be requested, granted, and tracked in a more efficient manner.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 02/01/2023