Ex-Offender Appointed by Mamdani to Lead NYC Jail System as Rikers Remains Under Federal Oversight

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Stanley Richards, a former inmate turned prison reform advocate, as the new commissioner of the Department of Correction. The groundbreaking appointment, announced Saturday, makes Richards the first person with a history of incarceration to lead the city’s corrections system.

“Stanley will make history in this role as the first ever formerly incarcerated person to serve as commissioner,” Mamdani said during the announcement. “I will turn to Stanley as we work to build a city where justice is at the heart of our corrections system.”

Richards’ personal experience with the criminal justice system dates back to the 1980s when he was convicted of robbery. He served approximately two and a half years at Rikers Island before spending an additional four and a half years in state prison. Following his release in 1991, Richards has built a career focused on criminal justice reform.

In his first public remarks as the incoming commissioner, Richards expressed alignment with Mayor Mamdani’s vision for a rehabilitation-centered approach to corrections, clearly distancing himself from punitive models.

“Today we turn the page and we start a new era under Mayor Mamdani,” Richards stated, signaling a significant shift in correctional philosophy for New York City.

The appointment comes at a critical juncture for New York City’s jail system, which has faced years of intense scrutiny over deteriorating conditions, violence, and chronic staffing shortages. Earlier this week, a federal judge appointed an external remediation manager to oversee reforms at Rikers Island, following repeated findings that city leadership had failed to address the dangerous conditions inside the facility.

When questioned about coordination with the federally appointed remediation manager, Mamdani emphasized his administration’s commitment to cooperation. “My administration has, and we look forward to working with the remediation manager on improving conditions in our city’s jails, both for those in custody and for correction officers,” the mayor said.

Richards brings significant professional experience to the role. He previously served as first deputy commissioner of programs and operations at the Department of Correction and was vice chair of the Board of Correction’s Task Force to Close Rikers. This task force was established as part of former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to shut down the notorious Rikers complex by August 2027.

Not all stakeholders have embraced the appointment with equal enthusiasm. The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, which represents the city’s jail staff, issued a cautionary statement following the announcement.

“The jails cannot and will not operate as safely as possible if the concerns of our members are brushed aside,” said union President Benny Boscio. He added that Richards must demonstrate a commitment to “putting safety and security before any political ideology.”

The union’s response highlights the tension between reform-minded leadership and concerns about officer safety in a system that has been plagued by violence against both inmates and staff. How Richards will balance his reform vision with practical safety concerns remains one of the key challenges awaiting him.

The appointment represents another significant move in Mamdani’s efforts to reshape New York City’s approach to criminal justice and public safety. Critics and supporters alike will be watching closely to see if Richards’ personal experience and professional background translate into meaningful improvements within a corrections system that has defied reform efforts for decades.

Richards is scheduled to officially begin his duties as commissioner on February 16, according to confirmation from the mayor’s office.