The New York City Board of Correction plans to replace the term “inmate” in its jail regulations with “person in custody.” This shift aligns with a long-term goal to avoid defining individuals by their incarceration status. The initiative began in 2021 when the Board decided to eliminate the use of “inmate” in its Minimum Standards.
“People in DOC custody are people first,” the Board stated in 2021, emphasizing the importance of using person-first language in its communications and standards. As part of this effort, the Board started substituting “inmates” with “people,” “persons,” and “individuals in custody.” This latest proposal aims to extend these changes across more regulations.
Changes appear throughout the rulebook. For instance, the section previously titled “Classification of Prisoners” was renamed “Classification of People in Custody.” Definitions are also updated; a “person in custody” refers to anyone confined in a facility.
The move by New York City is part of a broader trend. In 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul enacted a law replacing “inmate” with “incarcerated individual” in the state’s legislation. However, New York City opts for “person in custody” instead.
This change has emerged amid increased attention to New York City’s correctional system. A recent event featuring Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral nominee, brought focus back to the topic. Mamdani emphasized that the individuals at Rikers Island are New Yorkers before, during, and after their incarceration.
The Board’s revisions aim to modernize regulatory language and echo its philosophy that incarceration does not singularly define a person. These changes will not impact jail operations, housing, or disciplinary measures.
Fox News Digital contacted the NYC Board of Correction regarding their choice of “person in custody” over “incarcerated individual” and asked if they received public feedback. Comments were also sought from the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association and the Vera Institute of Justice.