NYC Department of Correction

On this #TBT, the spotlight is on DOC Assistant Deputy Warden Guity for recently being honored for his exceptional leadership by the Garifuna American Law Enforcement Association. During NYPD’s Inaugural Garifuna Heritage Month Celebration in Manhattan this past June, ADW Guity was presented with the association’s Special Recognition Award. Officials also commended ADW Guity for serving with distinction as the Executive Officer of DOC’s Correction Intelligence Bureau, an elite staff of highly-trained correctional professionals who assist in combating gang activity, contraband smuggling and other very serious challenges in New York City’s jails. “Assistant Deputy Warden Guity is an exemplary leader and his journey to success is truly inspiring to our community,” said NYPD Officer Benedith, the association’s president. ADW Guity’s outstanding work for our Department also includes leading workshops with agencies from across the country to assist in the fight against street gangs and gun violence. “I’m humbled and honored to have been recognized,” said ADW Guity, who just started his 19th year of service. “The team and I are proud to be leaders with this important work and we will continue to work on building a bridge between our agency, outside agencies and communities across New York City.” Pictured with ADW Guity, from left, are Benedith and NYPD Sergeant Mehaj. #ThrowbackThursday #JoinTheBoldest

Our public safety partners at the #FDNY visited #RikersIsland on July 30 to provide hands-only CPR training to persons in custody at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC). They were welcomed back after having recently conducted successful training sessions of the same kind at West Facility on #Rikers. During the two sessions, FDNY personnel explained and demonstrated correct CPR techniques and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Persons in custody then had the opportunity to practice their newly acquired lifesaving skills on training manikins, with the first responders providing feedback. This training was organized by DOC’s Division of Programs and Community Partnerships and is illustrative of our commitment to providing persons in custody with meaningful educational opportunities and positive engagement. “Early CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator have been shown to dramatically increase the chance of survival in victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest. The 22 persons in custody who completed this training now have these vital skills to use upon reentry into their communities. Many people in custody explained how this knowledge will help them obtain jobs once released,” said Director Carlucci. #ThrowbackThursday

DOC Officers are highly-trained law enforcement professionals who are dedicated to improving public safety. This important work includes meetings with multiple law enforcement agencies across the state as we continue to work together to keep all New Yorkers safe. Earlier this month, investigators in the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) visited the New York State Court Officers Academy to educate 253 new Recruit Court Officers about operations and discuss fentanyl and other dangerous drug trafficking through the courts. This latest visit marked the second time SIU has been invited to the Academy to share intel to new recruits and assist with public safety in the court system on the state level. “Our unit is helping to educate our partners from other agencies with these presentations, which also helps us fight against the introduction of narcotics and other contraband in DOC’s facilities,” explained Correction Officer Investigator Smith. “Strengthening partnerships between DOC staff and New York State Court staff is very important as we continue to work together to help everyone remain safe.” #WorkforceWednesday #JoinTheBoldest

Programs for persons in custody at #NYCDOC are designed to not only educate and enrich, but also vividly illustrate that success after incarceration is attainable. On July 26, Afrika Owes, who was previously incarcerated at the Rose M. Singer Center (RMSC) on #RikersIsland and who is now an attorney, returned to RMSC to share her inspiring story to help the young women in custody. In 2011, the Harlem native served time at RMSC as part of a gang-related conspiracy case and has since made several remarkable achievements in her life. This past April, Owes went viral on social media after posting a video that she passed the bar exam early and on her first attempt. She is now a practicing attorney who also advocates for support for incarcerated women. As part of Friday’s visit, the women in custody participated in a question and answer session with Owes where she discussed education, motherhood, life after incarceration, cyber bullying, overcoming trauma and many other important topics to help them as they continue to work towards a law-abiding future. “Afrika Owes is a true inspiration. She transformed her time as a person in custody into a driving force to pursue her dreams. Despite facing immense challenges and trauma, she persevered,” said Executive Director Tavarez. “I hope the emerging adults really saw and felt the depth of her words. Her story underscored that their current struggles are just moments in their lives, not their whole existence. With determination, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”

Today, a thank you for your service goes to Correction Officer Chambers for her multiple efforts to stop dangerous drugs from entering West Facility on #RikersIsland. While working in the mailroom, Officer Chambers has intercepted drug smuggling attempts for fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines and other contraband. Most recently on July 24, she recovered 28 sheets of construction paper soaked in special opiates inside of a package that was en route to a person in custody. Last week, Deputy Warden Payne Jr. commended the correctional professional for her dedication to keeping New Yorkers safe. “We appreciate Officer Chambers and all of the hard work she puts in every day to stop contraband from coming into the jails through the mail,” said Payne Jr. “When she’s here working, we know she’s doing all that she can to help keep all of us safe.” For Chambers, working in public safety in #NewYorkCity has been a life goal ever since she was a teenager. “I was raised in the foster care system and I always wanted to work in a career where I’m helping people,” the 18-year DOC veteran explained. “Working for this Department has provided me with a great life. This is a great job. There’s so much opportunity here and the sky is the limit.” #JoinTheBoldest #MondayMotivation

Yesterday, persons in custody at the George R. Vierno Center (GRVC) on #RikersIsland enjoyed some laughter mixed with love from four-legged friends during a dog-friendly comedy show. Thanks to the Department’s work with #WaggyTailRescue and #BrixiesRescueInc, seven comedians plus several dogs made a special visit to the jail to spread positivity, love and hope to persons in custody. The organizations are two of many community groups that assist #DOC in providing individuals in custody with support and interactive engagement. “This comedy show provided persons in custody with a unique opportunity for stress relief through laughter and the therapeutic presence of dogs helped to create a more positive environment,” DOC Paws of Purpose Canine Program Coordinator Justice explained. Watch news highlights from yesterday’s show at bit.ly/3yfm4kj. #FlashbackFriday

On this #FlashbackFriday, we’re sending a job well done to the Visits Staff at West Facility on #RikersIsland for stopping a visitor and person in custody from smuggling in marijuana and tobacco into the jail last month. On June 29, Officer Febo found the contraband in a condom wrapped in electrical tape under the person in custody’s shirt. Thanks to the due diligence of these correctional professionals, it was also discovered that the visitor hid the illicit drugs in her toddler son’s sock and she was arrested. “The person in custody had the baby in his lap and we saw him reach towards baby’s leg under the table and then he put the contraband under his shirt,” explained Febo, who has been on the job for eight and a half years. “This job is about keeping everyone safe and doing the right thing. My brother is a NYPD Sergeant and I was always inspired to work in law enforcement because of him and I joined DOC to help others as well. We grew up in a Christian household and doing the right thing and helping the city is important in our family.” Thank you for your service Officer Febo, as well as Captain Lincifort, Officer Gabourel, Officer Fernandez, Officer Mack, Officer Daniel, Officer Fanfair, Officer Vargas and Officer Cedano. #JoinTheBoldest #FBF

On July 23, history was made at #NYCDOC as officials collaborated to host the first-ever Ceasefire Family Day at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) on #RikersIsland. Led by Assistant Chief of Security Lemon as part of his Stop the Violence Initiative, the event provided motivational speakers, prayer, mediation services, family support and other important resources to persons in custody from different facilities on #Rikers who are members of rival street gangs. “This is historic what is happening today and we want each of you to understand that we are here to ceasefire. This is not something we are saying just to get through the day, this is serious and we are going to hold ourselves accountable from this day forward and we are going to stay true to our word that we are going to ceasefire,” RNDC Acting Warden Chester said to the persons in custody. This latest effort, which included leadership from DOC’s Security Officers, Correction Intelligence Bureau and Division of Programs and Community Partnerships, is also part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to proactively address gang violence and activity throughout #NYC jails. “Our primary goal was to foster a safer and more peaceful environment for everyone. By promoting dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among the persons in custody, we hope to achieve a significant decrease in violent incidents. Additionally, we aimed to provide education and resources that support conflict resolution and rehabilitation, ultimately aiding the persons in custody in their successful reintegration into society,” explained Correction Officer Investigator Staggers, a leading organizer of the program. “This event was a true team effort and couldn’t have been done without the support of all executive and support staff. This is a great example of the incredible things we can accomplish when we work as a team and focus on the mission.” View more photos at bit.ly/3xZ2QQ4.

On July 16, persons in custody at the Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC) on #RikersIsland participated in an afternoon of mentorship during a special visit from rapper #FatJoe and podcaster #PeterTorres. As part of the facility’s Real Men Do Care Initiative, the young men received positive reinforcement from #TheBronx natives to assist them in their journey to become law-abiding and productive citizens. “There’s no age limit to change your behavior. There’s no age limit to reunite with your kids. Your families need you with them and building with them. We want to see each of you outside of here, achieving your dreams and being successful,” Fat Joe said to the young men. “A prison sentence shouldn’t be a life sentence and your past doesn’t define your future. Just know your life can completely change with the right mindset and dedication,” added Torres, who was incarcerated at RNDC in his youth and who continues to visit #Rikers as a motivational speaker. The initiative, which officially began this past March, is one of many at DOC that provides persons in custody with guidance and support. The special visit also featured a question and answer session to help the young men learn about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, community engagement, the music industry and more. “I worked alongside Assistant Commissioner Ma’at to create this initiative because we want the persons in custody to hear words filled with hope and encouragement to help them understand that just because they are in this situation, it’s not the end of their life. There’s a whole world outside of here with so much opportunity for them, but they have to change their way of thinking first,” explained Assistant Deputy Warden Hill, a nearly 17-year DOC veteran. “We want them to understand that doing the right thing is OK, earning an honest living is OK, surrounding themselves with positivity is OK and we will continue to do what we can to help them change their lives.”

Programs for persons in custody at #NYCDOC provide education, training, motivation, positive engagement and more. Last month, members of the basketball team at West Facility on #RikersIsland participated in a Guided Paint program, which provided them with the opportunity to develop their artistic talents. In addition, the sessions incorporated the positive exchange of ideas and teamwork to assist the 22 individuals in custody with experiencing interactive learning. “Many of our persons in custody have never experienced activities like this outside of school. Being able to create a piece of art with no formal training is inspiring and motivating. Combined with the life skills we offer, their success in Guided Paint is another form of confirmation that they are more than capable of overcoming challenges in their lives,” explained Executive Director Worrell. #FlashbackFriday