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Rikers Island has been characterized as in a state of crisis.
By Michael V. Cusenza
After witnessing a Rikers Island inmate attempt suicide, lawmakers blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio for the dire conditions in the City jail system.
City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) on Friday penned a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking her to activate the National Guard to assist Correction officers on Rikers.
“Violence, death, and mayhem are now a regular occurrence at the facility,” Holden wrote. “Ten inmates have died this year alone, with the most recent death occurring just the other day allegedly from a drug overdose. The federal oversight monitor of city jails, Steve J. Martin, has reported an ‘unreasonably high’ level of violence due to understaffing. Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Benny Boscio has been pleading for more officers and an end to mandatory triple shifts. The mayor has ignored his pleas.”
Photo Courtesy of Councilman Holden
“Violence, death, and mayhem are now a regular occurrence at the facility,” Councilman Holden wrote.
On Tuesday, de Blasio signed an emergency order to execute the Emergency Rikers Relief Plan, a five-point plan to address challenges on the island.
The plan includes:
- Adjust staffing at courts by shifting NYPD to help operate courts, allowing some Department of Correction staff to shift back to duty on Rikers.
- Toughen accountability for AWOL staffers with 30-day suspensions for Correction officers who do not show up to a post.
- Expand medical evaluation capacity for staff with additional medical providers to evaluate DOC officers for duty.
- Engage in emergency contracting to quickly repair broken doors, clean facilities more efficiently, distribute commissary more quickly, scan mail onto tablets to reduce drugs entering facilities, and more.
- Speed intake to reduce crowding with a goal of moving people through the intake process in 24 hours or fewer. Two currently closed clinic spaces will be opened to allow greater capacity.
