In a recent ruling by a federal judge, it was determined that New York City has failed to stem the ongoing degradation of chaos and violence within the prison system. As a result of this ruling, the federal court will appoint an independent external “remediation manager” to be directly accountable to the court, drive prison system reform, and assist the city in complying with previous court orders, including overseeing Rikers Island prison.
According to the 77-page order issued by Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain on Tuesday, this external official will have broad powers to address the longstanding safety issues within the prisons, including personnel appointments, guard deployment, and disciplinary actions related to the use of force. While the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction will continue to oversee daily operations, the manager will have the authority to take “all necessary actions” to restore order in the prisons.
Swain noted that the increasing incidents of violence within New York prisons pose a “severe and immediate threat” to detainees and violate their constitutional rights. She stated that the unsafe and dangerous environment, including unprecedented use of force and violent incidents, has been seen as normal, despite being clearly abnormal and unacceptable.
Last November, Judge Swain found New York City in contempt of court for failing to comply with 18 orders related to safety, staffing, personnel supervision, the use of force, and protection of juvenile detainees. This contempt ruling paved the way for federal intervention in Rikers Island, which the court deemed as a “last resort.”
This action has garnered support from advocates for prisoners’ rights. Attorneys representing the incarcerated believe that this order could ultimately change the deeply ingrained culture of violence and cruelty within the city’s prisons.
Mayor Eric Adams stated during a press conference yesterday that the city government will comply with the judge’s orders but questioned the necessity of an external manager. He remarked, “We already have so many oversight mechanisms in place, how much oversight is needed to realize this is a systemic issue?”
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams believes that this appointment reflects Mayor Adams’ administration’s failure to comply with the orders of the Nunez court and has not convinced the court that meaningful progress has been made in making the prisons safer.
According to New York City law, Rikers Island is supposed to be closed by 2027, but Mayor Adams expressed that the deadline is unrealistic.