New York City Updates Jail Language
The New York City Board of Correction plans to replace the word “inmate” with “person in custody” in its jail regulations. This change is part of an ongoing effort to prevent incarceration from solely defining individuals. The initiative began in 2021, aiming to use person-first language in the Board’s standards and communications.
An earlier move saw the removal of “inmate” from Minimum Standards, as officials argued that people should not be defined by their incarceration. “People in DOC custody are people first and the circumstance of their incarceration is not their defining feature,” the Board stated in 2021.
As part of this effort, references such as “prisoners” and “inmates” have been replaced by “people,” “persons,” and “individuals in custody.” The rulebook reflects these changes. A section once called “Classification of Prisoners” is now “Classification of People in Custody.” The regulations define “person in custody” as “any person confined in a facility.”
New York City’s move parallels state efforts. In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation replacing “inmate” with “incarcerated individual” across state law. Although New York state adopted “incarcerated individual,” New York City prefers “person in custody.”
The terminology shift arises amid scrutiny of New York City’s correction system, highlighted by a FIFA World Cup semifinal watch party at Rikers Island attended by Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani stated during the event, “These are New Yorkers, and they will be New Yorkers when they get out of Rikers.”
The language updates will not affect jail operations, housing policies, or disciplinary rules. The Board describes the changes as a modernization effort, ensuring language aligns with the belief that people are more than their imprisonment.
Fox News Digital has sought clarification from the New York City Board of Correction about its terminology choice and whether they received public feedback. The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association and the Vera Institute of Justice were also approached for comments on the proposal.