On Monday, New York State Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman issued a decision declaring that Mayor Eric Adams’ executive orders to suspend Local Law 42 of 2024, which bans solitary confinement in city jails, exceeded his emergency powers. Mayor Adams issued Emergency Executive Orders 624 and 625, which declared a state of emergency in city jails in order to block the local law from taking effect. The New York City Council and Public Advocate filed a joint lawsuit in December 2024 to invalidate the executive orders, which the mayor has extended every 30 days. In response to the ruling, Speaker Adrienne Adams released the following statement.

“Judge Pearlman’s decision confirms that Mayor Adams’ attempts to circumvent local law banning solitary confinement by issuing emergency executive orders were unlawful and an abuse of power. Today’s ruling is a win for our local democracy, human rights, and public safety. The mayor must follow the law, just like every New Yorker, and cannot abuse the powers of the office. Solitary confinement has been proven to cause physical, psychological, and emotional harm, making jails and our city less safe. The Council duly enacted Local Law 42 because we cannot maintain the status quo of failed policies and practices that put everyone in danger. Now that the mayor’s emergency orders are no longer in effect, the mayoral administration must bring the City into compliance with the law.”

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