Sex abuse in NYC jails: Dept. of Correction says it’s on the path of reform – By Chelsia Rose Marcius (New York Daily News) / Nov 30 2019
An overhaul of the city Department of Correction’s investigation division has reduced sex assaults in a major Rikers Island facility — a success story officials hope can be repeated elsewhere at the troubled jail complex.
The changes pushed by female jail administrators beefed up the investigative staff, revamped employee training, and added orientation for inmates on victims’ rights.
The slew of reforms helped the womens’ facility on Rikers pass a high-stakes federal audit for the first time.
Inmate advocates say the department needs to go further, and meet the city’s own more stringent standards for combating sexual violence. Nonetheless, Correction officials say they are pleased with their progress so far.
“We’re changing the way we do business,” said Faye Yelardy, the assistant commissioner of the DOC’s office of sexual abuse and sexual harassment prevention. “We’re moving forward.”
Continue to article: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-sex-abuse-city-jails-corrections-new-york-city-20191201-pat72zgmejesdkf64zvq2tglgi-story.html
Correction Department officials Faye Yelardy, Sarena Townsend and Prechelle S. Shannon worked to improve procedures for handling sex assault and abuse complaints at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island. They hope the reforms can be repeated at other Rikers Island facilities. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)
