City Jail Oversight Board Under Fire For Lack Of Minorities, Mental Illness Experts

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City civilian jail oversight board is being criticized for having no minorities or experts in mental illness. That comes at a time when the nations' second-largest jail system, which is overwhelmingly black and Hispanic, is struggling to quell rising rates of violence and better care for a growing mentally ill inmate population.

Inmate advocates say three current vacancies on the nine-member New York City Board of Correction offer a chance to address those shortfalls and build a panel that more closely reflects the inmate population.

Mayor Bill de Blasio will appoint two people to the New York City Board of Correction this fall. State judges appoint the third.

The board has roughly 20 staff. It holds public meetings, sets minimum standards for care and monitors the lockups.

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