Commission of Correction approves variance for NYC DOC kiosk fees through April with interim reporting

The Commission of Correction voted to grant the New York City Department of Corrections a temporary variance from the commission's transaction-fee limit under Title 9, allowing current kiosk vendor fees to remain in place while the city completes a procurement process.

A presenter told the commission, "New York City DOC is requesting a variance from the commission's regulation of title 9 year proposed rules regulation section 7 16.2," and said the city currently uses two vendors, JPay and Western Union, with fees that "will still range from $3.95 to $11.95 with the average below $7.50." The presenter also said the department had released an RFP to the public on 07/21/2025 and anticipated selecting a vendor by January 2026, and staff recommended approval of the variance until 04/01/2026 to allow procurement to finish.

Commission members pressed for stronger interim oversight and for options to reduce costs for families. One commissioner said, "It's been 15 years that y'all have been proving variances without any requirement that they do anything about it," arguing the department had had ample time to comply and asking for earlier progress reports. Commissioners raised concern that requiring families to travel to Rikers Island or limited cashier windows to make free deposits unfairly burdened relatives across boroughs; one commissioner urged the department to provide alternatives "at every courthouse so that people can deposit money in every borough."

Staff and commissioners negotiated additional conditions before the final motion: the commission will ask for a vendor-selection notice by Oct. 31 and notification that a contract is signed by Dec. 31 (staff said those notices can be a non-substantive letter that would not reveal bidders). Staff also proposed changing the recommended final-check date from April 1 to allow a March 1 check-in if commissioners prefer earlier oversight; the approved letter will ask the department to "consider" adding deposit locations where cash bail is accepted so families have more accessible options without affecting bidding.

The variance was approved by voice vote after a motion and second. The commission recorded its approval and directed staff to include the agreed interim notification dates and suggested language about considering additional deposit locations in the written approval to New York City DOC.

The commission's action does not change current vendors or fees immediately; it authorizes the department to continue operating under existing vendor arrangements while the RFP and contracting process proceed. Commissioners said they may revisit the variance if the department does not report the requested milestones.

What happens next: staff will finalize the approval letter incorporating the check-in dates and language about considering additional deposit locations; commissioners may request further review if the October or December notifications do not indicate progress.