NEW YORK — The debate continues over Rikers Island Jail in New York, which is frequently associated with cases of suspicious deaths, suicides, harassment, abuse, and violence. Despite the decision to close the prison no later than August 2027, criticisms of the slow progress of the process are on the agenda.
In 2019, the New York City Council decided to close Rikers Island Jail by 2027 and replace it with a smaller and more humane prison.
However, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is being criticized for the “slow pace” of the process of closing the prison.
Since Eric Adams took office, at least 31 more inmates have died in the prison, prompting increasing pressure from advocates, detainees, and relatives of inmates to close it.
While calls for the closure of Rikers Island Jail have become almost a part of daily life in the city, conflicting statements from officials are confusing.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed doubts last month about the closure of Rikers Island Jail by 2027.
Numerous compensation lawsuits have been filed regarding the prison.
The cost of compensation lawsuits filed against the New York City government regarding Rikers Island Jail is also a subject of debate.
On November 27, 2019, the family of 18-year-old Nicholas Feliciano, who was witnessed attempting suicide in his cell by numerous correction officers but was not intervened, filed a compensation lawsuit against the prison.
Nicholas Feliciano survived the suicide attempt but partially lost brain functions. During the trial, it was determined that eight prison staff members remained bystanders for 7 minutes and 51 seconds while Feliciano attempted suicide in his cell.
The lawsuit was settled two weeks ago with the New York City agreeing to pay $28.7 million in compensation.
According to Gothamist news site’s report last month, 719 female inmates and detainees filed compensation lawsuits against Rikers Island Jail for sexual harassment allegations, surpassing a total compensation lawsuit amount of $14 billion.
Following the news, numerous media outlets interviewed women who filed compensation lawsuits for sexual harassment allegations, while officials did not deny the reports of sexual harassment lawsuits.
