Jails cut sex attacks

An overhaul of the city Department of Correction’s investigation division has reduced sex assaults in a major Rikers Island facility — a success story officials hope can be repeated elsewhere at the troubled jail complex.

The changes pushed by female jail administrators beefed up the investigative staff, revamped employee training and added orientation for inmates on victims’ rights.

The slew of reforms helped the womens’ facility on Rikers pass a high-stakes federal audit for the first time.

Inmate advocates say the department needs to go further and meet the city’s own more stringent standards for combating sexual violence. Nonetheless, correction officials say they are pleased with their progress so far.

“We’re changing the way we do business,” said Faye Yelardy, the assistant commissioner of the correction office of sexual abuse and sexual harassment prevention. “We’re moving forward.”

A three-day review conducted in May by an independent auditor certified by the U.S. Department of Justice found the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island — a women’s facility — had met or exceeded all 300 standards set forth by the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.

Allegations of sexual abuse at the facility dropped more than 40% between the last six months of 2018 and the first six months of this year, according to Correction Department data. There was a 24% decrease in accusations across all jails during the same period.

Now the department is looking to do it again. Two more detention centers at Rikers — North Infirmary Command and the West Facility — are awaiting the results of recent audits. DOC officials are also gearing up for another audit in a fourth facility.

“It’s not just about getting a good report,” Yelardy said. “It’s really about making the facilities safe.”

The Correction Department was given a $1.2 million