NYC Mayor Suspends Solitary Confinement Law

New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued an emergency executive order suspending parts of a new law that would limit solitary confinement in city jails, citing safety concerns for staff and detainees. The law, set to take effect on July 27, included a four-hour limit on solitary confinement and restrictions on the use of restraints during detainee transport. Adams' order paused these measures, arguing that the law could endanger inmates and correctional officers. Critics, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and the Legal Aid Society, have condemned the move as an overreach and questioned the legitimacy of the declared state of emergency. The suspension has sparked protests and potential legal challenges from city officials and advocates who argue that the executive order undermines the democratic process and the humane treatment of incarcerated individuals.