"The conditions at Rikers have grown more dire and deadly for years. While the issues pre-date the current mayor, he has shown seemingly no ability, interest, or meaningful plan for addressing the crisis that threatens both detainees and staff there while nearly 40 people have lost their lives. As I highlighted in my inspection last week, he has steadfastly ignored laws meant to improve conditions, refused to move toward legally-mandated closure, and invited ICE onto the island. Now, it will be out of his control and under outside management.
“The most clear truth on Rikers is that what we have been doing has not worked. The amount of detainees has swelled and recruitment of staff has stalled in recognition of a crisis on both sides of the bars. It is past time to do something different.
“This is a critical moment, but a cautious one. Outside management will only be successful if it is informed by people with real experience within the system and in oversight of it. The goals must simultaneously be to reverse the decades of unnecessary harm and suffering on Rikers Island and to move toward finally closing this monument to pain and failure. I would also be remiss if I did not express concern about any influence by a federal government whose biggest focus seems to be increasing criminalization, incarceration, and detention. I look forward to the appointment of this official, and toward working with them to improve our city’s public safety and pursuit of justice.”
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