Academic

Deadly Jails

By Laura Appleman

Usually, when we focus on problems inside prisons, we focus on the prisons themslves, where we warehouse convicted criminals after trial and sentence.  But today's article in the New York Times focuses on the corrupt and deadly practices occurring in Rikers Island, where accused offenders are held until trial and sentence:

Guards reputedly sent inmates to intimidate, threaten and silence uncooperative prisoners with brute force. Inmates were ordered to turn over money, and their every move, including when they could use the bathroom, was controlled. If word of an assault got out, the guards would allegedly orchestrate a cover-up.

In fact, prosecutors said, a unit for teenagers on Rikers Island was run much like an organized-crime family ? and two correction officers were the bosses.

As I know from my former life as an appellate public defender, being sent to Rikers was always frought with peril--often my clients would have pled guilty as fast as possible to shorten their stay.  As painful and restrictive as being sent to a prison far upstate was for my clients, it was still far better--and safer--than being held at Rikers for any serious amount of time. 

All this points to better oversight and more regulation of prisons and jails;  not just for teenagers, but for all offenders.   Does New York need a California-style federal takeover of their correctional facilities?

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on January 23, 2009 (boomark / email).