From the New York Post: Mayor Zohran Mamdani is turning to an ex-con to run NYC’s embattled jail system.
The socialist pol announced five key appointments to his administration during a Bronx press conference Saturday, most notably Stanley Richards, who will become the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s Department of Correction as commissioner.
Richards, who reportedly served jail time in the late 1980s for robbery, previously worked as president of the nonprofit Fortune Society that provides housing and other services for ex-cons. He’s also the DOC’s former deputy commissioner of programs and operations.
Mamdani announced Richards’ appointment less than a week after a federal judge tapped Nicholas Deml, the ex-head honcho of Vermont’s prison system, as an “remediation manager” who’ll run Rikers Island’s scandal-scarred jail complex independent of City Hall.
Now Richards, 64, will be earning a whopping annual salary of $243,171, and Mamdani touted that Richards’ appointment is “not merely symbolic” but what is best for city correction officers and detainees.
In a post on X, Mamdani announced:
Today, I made historic appointments who will lead critical agencies and create a city where everyone can thrive.
I appointed Stanley Richards as Commissioner of @CorrectionNYC. Decades after he served time in our city’s jails, Commissioner Richards will now be the first formerly incarcerated person to lead them.
And I appointed Dr. Alister Martin as Commissioner of @NYCHealthy to help NYers get the affordable, quality health care they need.
I also appointed Yesenia Mata to lead @nycveterans, Sandra Escamilla-Davies to lead @NYCYouth, and Vilda Vera Mayuga to lead OATH.
Whether you’re a veteran looking for housing, a young person seeking a job, or a New Yorker having your case heard, these commissioners will make sure that our city listens, responds, and treats you with dignity.
I also appointed Yesenia Mata to lead @nycveterans, Sandra Escamilla-Davies to lead @NYCYouth, and Vilda Vera Mayuga to lead OATH.
Whether you’re a veteran looking for housing, a young person seeking a job, or a New Yorker having your case heard, these commissioners will make… pic.twitter.com/fDmBlUtT1n
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 1, 2026
Statement from COBA President Benny Boscio on the Appointment of Stanley Richards as the Next Correction Commissioner for the NYC Department of Correction #rikers @jointheboldest @NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/TxEzsBIrpr
— COBA (@NYCCOBA1) January 31, 2026
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