Judge Finds New York City in Contempt for Failing to Stanch Violence and Brutality at Jails
A judge on Wednesday found New York City in contempt for failing to staunch violence and brutality at its jails, a scathing ruling that puts the troubled Rikers Island jail complex on the verge of a federal takeover.
Background
In a written decision, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain in Manhattan said the city had placed incarcerated people in “unconstitutional danger” by failing to comply with 18 separate provisions of court orders pertaining to security, staffing, supervision, use of force, and the safety of young detainees.
Conditions Worsening
The long-squalid conditions have worsened significantly in the nine years since the city settled abuse and violence claims, she wrote, exacerbated by jail leadership’s “unwillingness or inability” to implement ordered reforms.
Federal Receivership Imminent
As a result, Swain ordered the city and lawyers suing on behalf of detainees to confer with a court-appointed monitor on a proposed framework for a federal receivership — an extraordinary intervention that would cede city control of one of the nation’s largest, most notorious jail systems.
Mayor’s Response
Mayor Eric Adams, who has vehemently opposed a federal takeover, said on Wednesday that the city had made “significant progress towards addressing the decades-long neglect and issues on Rikers Island.”
Judge’s Ruling
But in her ruling, Swain found the administration’s efforts were “insufficient to turn the tide within a reasonable period.” The city appears to have acted in bad faith at times in its failure to comply with court-ordered reforms, repeatedly “withholding essential information” from the monitor, she wrote.
Conclusion
The judge’s scathing ruling puts the troubled Rikers Island jail complex on the verge of a federal takeover, citing the city’s failure to address violence and brutality at its jails. The city has been ordered to confer with a court-appointed monitor on a proposed framework for a federal receivership, a move that could cede city control of the jail system.
FAQs
Q: What is the reason for the judge’s ruling?
A: The judge found that the city has failed to comply with court orders to improve conditions at its jails, resulting in unconstitutional danger to incarcerated individuals.
Q: What is a federal receivership?
A: A federal receivership is a court-appointed intervention that would cede city control of the jail system to a court-appointed receiver, who would work to improve safety and compliance with ordered reforms.
Q: Will this result in a takeover by the Justice Department?
A: No, a federal receivership would not involve a takeover by the Justice Department, nor would the city’s jails become part of the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Q: What is the current state of the Rikers Island jail complex?
A: The jail complex has long suffered from rampant disorder and neglect, with rates of violence, use of force, self-harm, and deaths in custody worsening over the years.
