Stanley Richards completed his robbery sentence in 1991 and then became involved in a charity aimed at preventing incarceration. Fast forward thirty-five years, and he now oversees the prison system in New York City, the largest in the U.S.
Mayor Zoran Mamdani chose Richards to lead the Department of Corrections (DOC) starting in January. Richards is known for advocating for reform through the nonprofit Fortune Society. He had a tumultuous past, frequently being incarcerated before rising through the ranks at Fortune Society. By 2024, he is expected to be its president and CEO. He previously held a senior role in the DOC under former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Richards has received accolades for his contributions to criminal reform, including recognition from the White House under President Obama. However, some critics argue that the alliances between the Fortune Society and political figures have led to policies that might encourage crime instead of curbing it.
“To reduce violent crime, enforcement and prosecution are essential,” stated Zach Smith, a former federal prosecutor, noting that crime rates in New York dropped after stringent measures were introduced in the early ’90s. He finds it illogical to think that community safety can improve without holding habitual offenders accountable.
Mamdani’s organization, the Richards & Fortune Institute, has not responded to various inquiries regarding this issue. Meanwhile, Richards sees his appointment as a chance to advocate for better prison conditions and meaningful rehabilitation paths for both inmates and correctional staff. He believes in “upstream change,” which connects individuals to supportive services like those provided by the Fortune Society, which had a significant impact on his own life.
“Prisons do not guarantee better security.”
Richards’ former employer continues to oppose stringent crime policies, arguing against the use of criminal history in housing and job evaluations. The Fortune Society has also received considerable government funding over the years, amounting to over $215 million from mid-2019 to mid-2024. This organization has been a recipient of significant tax dollars for its initiatives, particularly those related to reintegration support for former prisoners.
Both Mamdani and Richards are focused on addressing the city’s safety issues with a more lenient stance toward criminal behavior. Richards is tasked with the ambitious goal of closing Rikers Island, which previously housed him as an inmate. His agency is pushing for alternatives to incarceration, allowing more individuals to fulfill their societal obligations without imprisonment.
Richards was also part of the Lippman Commission, which recommended shutting down Rikers due to reports of inhumane treatment. The Commission argued that increased incarceration does not lead to improved public safety and may even exacerbate criminal activity, undermining community bonds.
However, the benefits of this reform approach are under scrutiny. After a pandemic-related increase in crime, many are questioning some of the Commission’s recommendations. NYPD data shows that crime surged since 2020, leading to concerns about public safety in the existing framework.
Open the floodgates
New York City diverts around 4,000 offenders from prison each year through its Alternatives to Incarceration program, and since its expansion in 2020, over 35,000 defendants have utilized this option. Yet some argue that claims of diversion decreasing crime lack substantial backing.
Charles Lehman, a public safety researcher, critiques the notion that keeping individuals out of jail reduces future crime, suggesting that the reality could be more nuanced. He pointed out that current laws permit pretrial detention only for the most dangerous offenders.
Richards has pointed out that releasing more inmates can ease systemic issues within the judicial system, emphasizing the need for a new direction. Despite the impending closure of Rikers Island by 2027, there’s concern over whether the city can meet the infrastructure demands for smaller prison facilities in time.
