Layleen Polanco

A Year After Layleen Polanco’s Rikers Death, 17 Jailers Face Discipline

June 26, 2020, 6:21 p.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 7:39 a.m.

The de Blasio istration pushed staff punishments Friday but has rejected more systemic changes to solitary confinement in New York City jails.

Solitary Confinement

Layleen Polanco-Inspired Solitary Confinement Reforms Languish a Year After Her Death on Rikers Island

June 18, 2020, 8:26 p.m.March 14, 2024, 2:23 p.m.

Meanwhile, city jailers contend that locking people in isolation for 21 hours a day does not qualify as “solitary confinement.”

Justice

City Jail Overseer Urged to End Solitary Confinement After Layleen Polanco Death

Dec. 2, 2019, 7:20 p.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 7:28 a.m.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, speaking at Board of Correction’s first hearing on proposed limits, says NYC can “serve as a model for the nation.”

Jails

City Jails Board Issues Proposed New Solitary Rules After Delay

Oct. 30, 2019, 4:00 a.m.June 29, 2020, 3:13 p.m.

Isolation of inmates would be limited — but not eliminated — under a long-fought Board of Correction plan that spurred a public battle with City Hall.

Jails

Layleen Polanco’s Family Accuses City of Stalling on Lawsuit

Oct. 24, 2019, 4:05 a.m.June 29, 2020, 3:13 p.m.

The de Blasio istration seeks a delay pending probe into the transgender woman’s death at Rikers Island. Her family is furious.

Jails

Mayor ‘Interfered’ With Jails Overseer on Solitary Confinement, Member Charges

Oct. 22, 2019, 10:17 p.m.June 29, 2020, 3:14 p.m.

Dr. Robert Cohen of the Board of Correction alleges delay of a planned vote to limit punitive segregation is part of bid to weaken reforms.

Jails

Solitary Confinement Reform Pushed Back Again as City Hall Balks

Oct. 21, 2019, 10:49 p.m.June 29, 2020, 3:14 p.m.

The Board of Correction planned to propose new limits on isolating inmates in city jails Tuesday, but will delay amid mayoral pressure, sources said.

Jails

De Blasio Ousts Key Solitary Confinement Foe as Reform Nears

Oct. 17, 2019, 5:23 p.m.June 29, 2020, 3:14 p.m.

Bryanne Hamill loses her Board of Correction seat amid wrangling over putting limits on isolating inmates in city jails, sources said.

Rikers Island

City Jails Board Slow to Act on Solitary Reform, Critics Say

Sept. 10, 2019, 8:19 p.m.March 14, 2024, 2:22 p.m.

A Board of Correction hearing on Tuesday drew calls to change New York City’s policies on solitary confinement but yielded no action.

Hundreds of people packed into Foley Square to hold a vigil for Layleen Polanco, a 27-year-old transgender woman who died while being held in solitary confinement on Rikers Island, June 10, 2019.

Jails

Layleen Polanco’s Death Inspires Bail Fund for Transgender Inmates

Sept. 6, 2019, 4:05 a.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 7:26 a.m.

The Emergency Release Fund has raised $10,000 and helped free six people so far. Polanco died in solitary on Rikers Island for want of $500 bail.

Layleen Polanco

A Year After Layleen Polanco’s Rikers Death, 17 Jailers Face Discipline

Layleen Polanco-Inspired Solitary Confinement Reforms Languish a Year After Her Death on Rikers Island

City Jail Overseer Urged to End Solitary Confinement After Layleen Polanco Death

City Jails Board Issues Proposed New Solitary Rules After Delay

Layleen Polanco’s Family Accuses City of Stalling on Lawsuit

Mayor ‘Interfered’ With Jails Overseer on Solitary Confinement, Member Charges

Solitary Confinement Reform Pushed Back Again as City Hall Balks

De Blasio Ousts Key Solitary Confinement Foe as Reform Nears

City Jails Board Slow to Act on Solitary Reform, Critics Say

Layleen Polanco’s Death Inspires Bail Fund for Transgender Inmates

ABOUT

TEAM

FUNDERS

ETHICS

DIVERSITY

DONATE

REPUBLISH

CAREERS

THE CITY IS HERE FOR YOU. BE HERE FOR US TOO.

THE CITY's Spring Campaign

Before you go...

for all things NYC.

local news today!