Commission approves six‑month extension for NYC DOC kiosk‑fee variance with progress‑report condition

The Commission of Correction on Jan. 29 approved a six‑month extension of a longstanding variance for kiosk fees used by the New York City Department of Corrections while the city pursues an RFP or negotiated acquisition to bring the service into compliance. Commission staff recommended the shorter extension and added a reporting condition tied to the procurement timeline.

Commission staff noted the kiosks ‘‘allow the incarcerated population to have the monies available in their commissary account’’ and said the kiosks account for roughly 92% of deposit activity, making the service broadly used. A commissioner said she opposed a one‑year extension and asked the commission to require more frequent status updates; she asked for a progress report every two months and asked staff to add a 60‑day progress‑report condition. ‘‘Id just like to add that we would like a progress report every 2 months on steps that have been taken towards the goal of finally doing a new procurement that meets our minimum standard,’’ the commissioner said.

The motion to approve the six‑month extension with the 60‑day update condition was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the public transcript records multiple "aye" responses and at least one "no," but it does not contain a full roll‑call tally by name. Staff said they expect the departments next application to the commission by June 1 and will monitor procurement milestones in the interim.

The transcript records the regulation cited in discussion as "$70.16.2" and that kiosk fees were referenced as currently not to exceed $5. Commission staff said they would return with progress updates as required by the added condition.