#De Blasio wants to end solitary confinement in NYC jails

Mayor Bill de Blasio called for New York City jails to end solitary confinement Monday — as he limited further which inmates could be placed in punitive segregation.

“We have proven that we can keep jails safe with much less use of solitary confinement punitive segregation,” de Blasio said Monday in a press conference.

“So let’s take the next step, let’s end solitary confinement altogether.”

The city will create a working group — which will include the Department of Correction Commissioner Cynthia Brann, Board of Correction Vice President Stanley Richards, President of JustLeadershipUSA Deanna Hoskins and a member of the correction officers’ union — that will present a report on ending the practice in the fall.

“[W]e have a lot to do to create more safety for people who are incarcerated and for correction officers and employees alike,” Hizzoner added.

The mayor also expanded the list of preexisting conditions that would prohibit inmates from being placed in solitary.

The list includes: asthma, seizure, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, transplant status, treatment with blood thinners or those with disabilities, such as being in a wheelchair, walk or are blind or deaf.

A rep for the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association did not immediately respond for comment.