NYC Mayor Eric Adams Suspends Parts of Solitary Confinement Reform Bill

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued an emergency order suspending key provisions of a bill aimed at limiting the use of solitary confinement in city jails.

The order, issued on Saturday, temporarily bans the following measures which were due to take effect on Sunday:

• Limit on solitary confinement to four hours unless deemed an "exceptional circumstance".
• Restrict "restrictive housing" to 30 consecutive days with a total limit of 60 days per 12-month period.
• Limits on the use of emergency lock-ins.
• Requirement for the DOC to report on the use of "de-escalation confinement, restrictive housing, and emergency lock-ins".
• Due process protections for detainees prior to placement in restrictive housing or the use of restraints.

Mayor Adams justifies the suspension by claiming that the reforms "would be dangerous and would subject incarcerated individuals and staff to further risk of harm."

The emergency order will remain in effect for 30 days or until it is rescinded.

Original reporting by Julia Gomez for USA TODAY.