New York City's Board of Correction is phasing out the terms "inmate" and "inmates" from its official rulebook, opting instead for "person in custody" and "people in custody." This proposed rule change affects over 300 instances within the board's documentation.
Advocates for criminal justice reform argue that the term "inmate" is derogatory and dehumanizes individuals who are incarcerated. According to the proposed rule, the board committed in 2021 to employing person-first language in its Minimum Standards and communications, a practice it intends to continue.
This move by the Board of Correction aligns with broader trends in New York State. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that replaced the word "inmate" with "incarcerated individual" throughout state law. A statement from Hochul's office at the time indicated that terms like "felon," "inmate," "prisoner," and "convict" can perpetuate stigmatization and the idea that incarcerated people should be permanently demonized.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision uses the term "incarcerated population" in its mission statement. Similarly, the New York City Department of Correction, which manages city jails including Rikers Island, refers to those under its care as "people in custody."