Judge strips NYC of full authority over Rikers Island, citing 'unprecedented' violence

Source: Associated Press

Judge strips NYC of full authority over Rikers Island, citing ‘unprecedented’ violence

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ
Updated 4:25 PM EDT, May 13, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City will no longer fully control its jail system, including the long-troubled Rikers Island complex, after a federal judge found the city had failed to stem spiraling dysfunction and brutality against those in custody.

Instead, U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain said she would appoint an outside manager to “take all necessary steps” toward restoring order inside the jails and bringing the city into compliance with previous court orders.

The official, known as a “remediation manager,” will report directly to the court. While the city’s corrections commissioner will remain responsible for much of the day-to-day operations of the jail system, the remediation manager will have broad powers to address long-standing safety problems, including authority over hiring and promotions, staff deployment and disciplinary action regarding the use of force

The extraordinary intervention, outlined Tuesday by Swain in a 77-page order, comes nearly a decade after the city’s jail system was placed under federal oversight as part of a class-action lawsuit brought by detainees.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/rikers-island-mayor-eric-adams-judge-ruling-e871d46e46ac100a54d5ac9c6d8b618f