Politics Jan 19 NYC Mayor Adams vetoes bills banning solitary confinement in jails and expanding reporting of police stops By Philip Marcelo, Associated Press
Nation Aug 10 Federal judge will hear arguments on potential takeover of New York City’s troubled jail system A federal judge has agreed to begin a process that could wrest control of New York City's troubled jail system away from Mayor Eric Adams. That could see a court-appointed outside authority take charge of Rikers Island by early next… By Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press
Nation Jan 10 Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg sentenced to 5 months in jail Former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg has been sentenced to five months in jail for dodging taxes. The longtime executive for Donald Trump's family company has also paid $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest. By Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press
Nation Sep 16 New York City’s Rikers Island jail spirals into chaos amid pandemic New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex has been troubled by years of neglect and now has spiraled into turmoil during the coronavirus pandemic. By Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press
Arts Aug 01 Watch 6:16 Exhibition sheds light on Kalief Browder’s years in solitary confinement Sixteen-year-old Kalief Browder spent three years inside New York City's Rikers Island without being convicted of a crime, enduring two of those years in solitary confinement. He subsequently struggled with his mental health and eventually took his own life. A… By Ivette Feliciano, Laura Fong
Oct 17 NYC to close Rikers Island jail complex by 2026 By Associated Press New York City lawmakers have approved a plan to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and replace it with four smaller jails. Continue reading
Apr 02 Watch 3:12 NYC mayor endorses Rikers shutdown plan By PBS News Hour New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has endorsed a proposal to shut down Rikers Island jail complex that holds 7,500 inmates. The facility, notorious for violence at the hands of guards and among inmates, has been the subject of… Continue watching
Nov 03 Watch 3:38 What it’s like to start over after spending your teen years in jail By PBS News Hour As teenageers, Vaughn Brown and Ivan Mayo were incarcerated at Rikers Island, where they confronted danger from fellow inmates, solitary confinement and their own thoughts. The two have vowed to never go back to jail. But being branded a felon… Continue watching
May 23 Opioid treatment at Rikers Island is a long-standing success, but few jails adopt it By Christine Vestal, Stateline NEW YORK — For Dr. Ross MacDonald, every person who enters New York City’s main jail with an opioid addiction represents an opportunity for treatment, and the possibility of saving a life. As the medical director of the city’s correctional… Continue reading
Jun 23 Watch 6:02 How Kalief Browder became the face of Rikers Island abuse By PBS News Hour New York City has announced sweeping reforms at Rikers Island, following a class action lawsuit over the abuse of inmates. Earlier this month, Kalief Browder, a former Rikers prisoner, committed suicide. He was held for more than 1,000 days without… Continue watching