NYC Department of Correction

FYs 2011-21 Operating Expenditures, Jail Population, Cost Per Incarcerated Person, Staffing Ratios, Performance Measure Outcomes, and Overtime

December 6, 2021

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Average Daily Jail Population Fell 61% from FY 2011 to 2021

Department of Correction Budget and Jail Population

Note: In October 2018, New York City transferred 16- and 17-year-olds from DOC facilities to the Horizon Juvenile Detention Center, operated by the Administration for Children’s Services, as required under the state Raise the Age law. However, DOC provided temporary staffing for the center in FY 2019, FY 2020 and FY 2021. For purposes of comparability with previous analyses, DOC costs related to staffing the youth center have been excluded.
Source: NYC Comptroller Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for FY 2011 – 2021, NYC Financial Management System, Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Full Annual Cost per Incarcerated Person Nearly Quadrupled Since FY11

Total Annual and Daily Cost per Incarcerated Person, Including Costs Funded Outside the Department of Correction Budget

*Fringe benefit and pension costs are estimated as of April 2021.
Full cost excludes debt service, judgments and claims, and legal services. DOC costs related to staffing the Horizon Juvenile Detention Center were also excluded. In FY 2020, debt service added daily costs of $73 per incarcerated person, and tort claim settlements and judgments added $16 per incarcerated person per day. Fringe benefits include the cost of retiree health insurance.
Source: NYC Comptroller Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for FY 2011 – 2021, NYC Office of Management and Budget Message of the Mayor and Budget Function Analysis for FY 2012 – 2022, NYC Financial Management System, Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

As of FY21, DOC has 1% Fewer Correction Officers Than in FY11

Correction Officers to Incarcerated Individuals Ratio

Note: DOC uniformed employees assigned to the Horizon Juvenile Detention Center in FY 2019, FY 2020 and FY 2021 were excluded.
Source: NYC Comptroller Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for FY 2011 – 2021, Mayor’s Management Report for FY 2011 – 2021.

DOC Overtime Peaked in FY16 and was Close to FY13 Levels in FY21

Agencywide Overtime Cost Relative to Average Daily Jail Population

Note: DOC overtime costs related to staffing the Horizon Juvenile Detention Center in FY 2019, FY 2020 and FY 2021 were excluded. Overtime per incarcerated individual represents the total overtime expense divided by the average daily jail population. The average overtime payment earned by uniformed DOC employees was $16,155 in FY 2021.
Source: NYC Comptroller Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for FY 2011 – 2021, NYC Financial Management System, Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Rate of Fight/Assault Infractions Nearly Quadrupled Since FY 2011

Fight/Assault Infractions (per 1,000 Average Daily Population)

Source: Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Rate of Assaults on Staff More Than Quintupled Since FY 2011

Assaults on Staff (per 1,000 Average Daily Population)

Source: Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Rate of Use of Force Incidents & Allegations Up 779% from FY 2011

Use of Force by Correction Officers (Incidents and Allegations per 1,000 Average Daily Population)

Source: Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Half of Jail Population Had Mental Health Diagnosis in FY 2021

Share of Incarcerated Population with a Mental Health Diagnosis

Source: Mayor’s Management Reports for FY 2011 – 2021.

Tort Claims Filed for Personal Injury at a City Correction Facility*

*Includes claims by incarcerated persons, visitors, or employees of City correction institutions or facilities who were allegedly injured by the actions of City employees or incarcerated persons.
Source: NYC Comptroller’s Office, Claims Report: Fiscal Year 2020.
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