I would like to congratulate Stanley Richards on his appointment to lead NYC’s Department of Correction, and commend Mayor Mamdani on this excellent decision.

I have been honored and privileged to work alongside Stanley at Fortune Society, to witness firsthand the incredible work from his team, and partner on policy aimed at improving re-entry outcomes for New Yorkers and gearing our systems for true rehabilitation. Stanley brings a rare credibility to this position, and I am encouraged that under his leadership we will move toward a system where safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and humane conditions are not exclusive, but specifically intertwined and where one cannot fully exist without the other.

I again sincerely congratulate Commissioner Richards on this appointment, and look forward to working together on measures to continue strengthening reentry outcomes, improving conditions for those who are incarcerated, and building a correctional system from a foundation built on public safety and human dignity.