NYC Held in Contempt Over Rikers Island Conditions

A federal judge has held New York City in contempt for failing to improve conditions at its city jails, deeming the situation worse than nine years ago when a settlement was reached.

Judge Laura Taylor Swain cited a significant increase in the use of force, violence, self-harm, and deaths in custody since the 2015 consent decree. The ruling covers 18 separate contempt claims. The judge's written opinion highlights the alarmingly high rates of violence, including stabbings, slashings, fights, assaults on staff, and in-custody deaths at Rikers Island.

<p>The judge's decision comes after advocates for inmates requested a contempt finding and even a potential federal receivership, pointing to the continued use of prohibited techniques by correction officers and a failure of agency leadership to address persistent problems. A plan for a potential **federal takeover of Rikers Island** is currently under development, as directed by Judge Swain.</p>

The Department of Correction and Legal Aid Society have yet to respond to requests for comment. The judge has ordered all parties to immediately agree on urgent remedies to address these critical issues.