Can’t escape jail ‘politrix’

To the editor:

On Nov. 14, former city Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi wrote an opinion piece in the Daily News stating federal district Judge Laura Taylor-Swain “should hold off on appointing a receiver” until the mayor-elect takes office. 

But in 2021, then-Commissioner Schiraldi “proposed that the city acquiesce to a strong receiver.” Suddenly, Schiraldi asserts the judge should wait because the mayor-elect’s jail views are different than that of Mayor Eric Adams, citing 42 in custody deaths under Adams.

According to Schiraldi, five commissioners and two mayors tried to reduce violence and were unsuccessful.

When someone spreads accountability among a large group it’s intended to mitigate their own failure.

He added, federal monitor Steve Martin has “failed to improve conditions” and cost taxpayers $26.1 million. That is true, but I don’t remember Schiraldi challenging or criticizing the monitor in 2021 although I do remember soaring detainee violence and eight detainee deaths during Schiraldi’s seven-month watch.

I also remember Schiraldi neglecting and forsaking the same correction officers Eric Adams supports.

Further, he claimed the uniformed force abused sick leave and that a receiver must get rid of that “benefit” because it restrains “the ability to reduce violence.” Yet, under Schiraldi’s leadership, DOC saw the most assaults on staff and most violent detainee incidents per capita, second highest amount of detainee infractions for fighting/assault and most uses of force, all occurring when DOC held under 5,000 detainees, the lowest detainee population since 1949.

I don’t foresee a receivership as the solution to NYC’s jail crisis because DOC must first regain control of the jails to attain successful management and a receiver won’t do that.

With an incoming mayor does Schiraldi covet a second chance at a last hurrah?

Marc Bullaro

The writer is a retired NYC DOC assistant deputy warden.