NYC Mayor Extends Emergency Order to Address Jail Compliance

The order gives the Department of Correction 10 days to develop a plan to bring jails into full compliance with laws.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued Emergency Executive Order 1.8, extending a previous state of emergency order for 5 days. The order allows the Department of Correction (DOC) to continue operating without fully complying with certain laws and regulations, but requires the DOC to develop a plan within 10 days to achieve full compliance with applicable laws.

Why it matters

The ongoing state of emergency declaration has allowed the DOC to bypass certain legal requirements, raising concerns about conditions and oversight in the city's jails. This order aims to create a path forward for the DOC to come into full compliance, addressing those issues.

The details

The original state of emergency was first declared in September 2021 and has been extended multiple times, allowing the DOC to operate without fully complying with various laws and regulations. This new order extends the previous Emergency Executive Order 1.7 for 5 more days, and requires the DOC to develop and submit a compliance plan to the Mayor by February 19, 2026.

  • The original state of emergency was first declared on September 15, 2021.
  • Emergency Executive Order 1.7 was issued on February 9, 2026.
  • Emergency Executive Order 1.8 was issued on February 15, 2026 and extends the previous order for 5 days.
  • The DOC must submit a compliance plan by February 19, 2026.

The players

Eric Adams

The Mayor of New York City who issued the emergency executive orders.

New York City Department of Correction (DOC)

The city agency responsible for operating the jail system, which has been operating under the state of emergency declaration.

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What’s next

The judge overseeing the DOC's compliance plan will review and approve the plan once it is submitted on February 19, 2026.

The takeaway

This order aims to create a clear path for the DOC to bring the city's jails back into full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, addressing concerns about oversight and conditions that have arisen during the extended state of emergency.