NYC councilman looks to bring back some solitary confinement in Big Apple jails

A New York City lawmaker wants to ban triple tours in Big Apple jails — and bring back solitary for some of the most violent of inmates.

The more controversial of the pair of bills introduced by Queens Democrat Bob Holden on Thursday would allow corrections officers to isolate inmates between the ages of 18-21 after an attack, but only if its their second offense and they received “therapeutic counseling” for the first assault.

The other bill would ban the Department of Corrections from putting guards on more than two consecutive shifts.

“Our correction officers, policing the toughest precinct in the city — our jails — deserve better working conditions and the essential tools they need to do their jobs effectively,” Holden said. “It’s crucial we eliminate triple tours, improve staffing, and reinstate punitive segregation to ensure the safety of both officers and inmates.”

The bills, though, could be dead on arrival, council sources said.

The return of solitary, even partially, will likely not be heard after the City Council leadership battled with the mayor earlier this year and eventually overturned his veto.

And the DOC, which has been struggling with staffing for years, doesn’t appear to have enough manpower to limit assigning triple tours, sources said.

Regardless, the proposals were hailed by unions.

“No other workforce in this city has been subjected to working 24 hours straight without meals and rest, while also enduring vicious assaults by violent offenders who know there are little consequences for their crimes committed behind bars,” said Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association.

“These inhumane conditions have also played a major role in driving down our headcount by 30% over the past several years. These key pieces of legislation, introduced by Council Member Robert Holden, would significantly improve the working conditions of our officers, while enhancing their safety, as well as the safety of the inmates in their custody.”