Judge declares NYC ‘in contempt’ as federal takeover of Rikers Island ordered

Federal Judge Laura Swain in Manhattan issued a major ruling on Tuesday that takes control of Rikers Island, away from the city. The judge made this decision because the city has repeatedly failed to fix dangerous and unsafe conditions, even after a ten-year legal battle.

According to Reuters, the 77-page ruling states that the city is in contempt of court for not following a 2015 settlement agreement, known as the Nunez case, which was supposed to reduce violence in the jails. The judge’s order places a federal receiver, called an “independent manager,” in charge of the city’s jail system for three years to improve safety.

The Harvey Weinstein called it “medieval.”

Rikers prison in New York City will get new management for a few years

Judge Swain’s decision focuses on the city’s ongoing failure to make Rikers safer. She points to “unprecedented rates of use of force and violence,” explaining that these problems have become routine even though they are “clearly abnormal and unacceptable.”

The judge noted that despite nine years of supervision by a court-appointed monitor who provided many reform suggestions, conditions have only gotten worse. Data shown in court reveals a troubling situation: in 2023, there were 6,784 cases where force was used at Rikers, up sharply from 4,652 in 2016. Additionally, 33 people have died in custody since 2022.

The judge found that the city’s actions have not led to a “substantial reduction in the risk of harm” for people held or working at Rikers, even when considering that staff may have underreported serious incidents. Judge Swain directly raises the possibility that the city acted in “bad faith,” concluding that the evidence s this claim.

Mayor Eric Adams downplayed the importance of the federal takeover, partly blaming progressive laws for making it harder to invest in Rikers’ infrastructure. He said he would follow the court’s order and “follow whatever rules she puts in place.” However, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams strongly criticized the mayor’s leadership, saying that under his istration, both staff and inmates have faced more violence and worsening conditions, leading to multiple deaths.

The history of Rikers is brutal, and the order harshly criticizes the city’s jail system and failure to follow court orders since the 2015 settlement. The judge acknowledged the work of current jail commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie but ultimately decided it was not enough to fix the ongoing dangers.

The independent manager will have broad power over all parts of the Department of Corrections (DOC), including hiring, istration, and rule changes. They will be responsible for making sure the jail system follows court orders within three years and will report directly to Judge Swain. The order requires the manager to create “transformative and sustainable initiatives” with yearly goals, focusing first on safety improvements.

Judge Swain has given the city and advocates until August 29 to suggest possible candidates for the role. Even with the federal takeover, the city’s long-term plan to close Rikers Island by 2027 and replace it with four smaller jails in different boroughs is still in place. However, the city is not currently on schedule to finish the new jails by the deadline.