By Katie Vasquez
ASTORIA — Solitary confinement, a long-controversial practice used for years in New York City correctional facilities such as Rikers Island, is set to be eliminated under a new executive order signed this week by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Correction officials have historically argued that solitary confinement helped separate violent offenders from the general jail population. However, critics — including Catholic leaders and the late Pope Francis — have long condemned the practice as inhumane and harmful to human dignity.
On Tuesday, January 6, Mayor Mamdani signed an executive order directing the city’s Department of Correction to fully implement a 2024 city law that effectively bans the use of solitary confinement in New York City jails.
The law had previously faced resistance from former Mayor Eric Adams, who warned that limiting solitary confinement could lead to increased violence inside Rikers Island. Despite those concerns, Mamdani says the city must now comply with its legal and moral obligations.
In a statement, Mayor Mamdani said the previous administration’s handling of jail conditions contributed to ongoing problems at Rikers.
“I was elected because of my values, and my promise to always be honest with New Yorkers — and now is a moment for blunt truths,” Mamdani said. “The previous Administration’s refusal to meet their legal obligations on Rikers has left us with troubling conditions that will take time to resolve.”
Catholic leaders have long opposed solitary confinement, citing its psychological toll on inmates. Pope Francis was especially outspoken on the issue during his papacy.
In 2014, the pontiff addressed delegates of the International Association of Penal Law, describing solitary confinement as a form of torture that violates human dignity. He also referenced studies showing that prolonged isolation can cause severe psychological harm and urged governments worldwide to end the practice.
Advocates say the mayor’s action reflects those moral concerns while aligning the city with modern correctional standards.
Under the executive order, Mayor Mamdani has instructed correction officials to submit a compliance plan within 45 days, by February 19, outlining how the city will meet Board of Correction mandates regulating jail conditions without the use of solitary confinement.