New York City residents have voiced strong opinions regarding a proposal to replace the word "inmate" in the Board of Correction rule book with the term "people with custody." The debate, highlighted in recent letters to the editor, has also touched upon judicial appointments and broader societal concerns.
One recurring sentiment among letter writers is that changing the terminology would diminish accountability and ignore the severity of crimes committed. "We certainly wouldn’t want to shame any of the fine thieves, rapists or murderers in prison now, would we?" questioned J. Cesare of Copiague. Others expressed a view that the focus on language is misplaced, especially given other pressing issues. "Many New York City school kids can’t read and do simple math, illegal prescription drugs are openly sold on the streets... but our city officials spend time worrying about calling inmates 'inmates,'" wrote Jake McNicholas of Whitestone.
Some critics drew parallels to other linguistic shifts, with Schellie Hagan of Brooklyn noting the elimination of terms like "mother" and "father" from New York State's legal language. Another writer, Linda Greco of Cedar Grove, N.J., characterized the move as part of a "Newspeak" agenda, linking it to "communist and socialist Democrats" and suggesting alternative terms such as "murderers, rapists, drug and human traffickers, thieves, abusers and sexual predators."
The controversy extends to judicial matters, with several letters criticizing Chief Judge Rowan Wilson's appointment of Cynthia Nixon to the Commission on Judicial Nomination. Critics questioned Nixon's qualifications, citing her acting career and her perceived political stance. "Having played a Harvard-educated lawyer on TV entitles Cynthia Nixon is to serve on the Commission on Judicial Nomination to vet potential judges to the Court of Appeals," wrote Michelle Tranchina of Brooklyn, Conn., sarcastically. J. Paino of Manhattan called the decision "unconscionable," suggesting it reflects a trend of allowing criminals to escape accountability. Charles Compton of The Bronx described the New York state judiciary as a "politicized, woke, fantasy land."
Another letter writer, Janice Mooney of Brooklyn, directly addressed the governor, stating that "taxpaying, law-abiding people of New York are the ones paying in all ways." Mooney added, "Tell the inmates they are there because of their own doing."