Language Shift in New York City Jails: A Move Towards Dignity and Respect In a significant move towards person-first language, the New York City Board of Correction has announced plans to replace the term "inmate" with "person in custody" in all jail regulations. This change aims to promote a more humane and respectful environment within the city's correctional facilities. Proponents of the shift argue that using person-first language helps to dehumanize the stigma associated with incarceration, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of individuals behind bars. As the city continues to grapple with issues of mass incarceration and rehabilitation, this linguistic change is seen as a step towards a more compassionate and inclusive approach to corrections.
The New York City Board of Correction is replacing "inmate" with "person in custody" across jail regulations as part of a person-first language effort.
