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New York City’s largest legal aid agency is ramping up its efforts for a federal takeover of the Big Apple’s troubled prison — as violence by correctional officers escalates to the highest levels since 2016.
The Legal Aid Group wants to formally ask Manhattan District Judge Laura Swain to order a receiver for Rikers Island and other Department of Corrections facilities on Dec. 15, saying it is clear from the recent auditors’ report that the feds must be involved.
The report, released late last month, found that the use-of-force rate this year was more than double that of six years ago – 10.24 per 100 inmates versus 3.96 in 2016 – when the city agreed to a settlement agreement to reduce excessive officer violence.
“The consent judgment was entered more than seven years ago, and to this day, the City has not fully complied with the basic terms of that judgment and the four subsequent remedial orders,” Kayla said. Simpson, staff attorney with the Prisoner Rights Program at the Legal Aid Society, said in a statement.
“The violence in the city’s jails is worse today than it was at the beginning of the trial because the city is no longer following court orders and protecting the people it holds. each. We can’t wait any longer.
The letter, filed in federal court Monday, says the nonprofit will submit its request for an outside agency to run the city’s jails on Dec. 15, the first day the lawyers agreed that it could be delivered.
“[T]Each Monitor reported high levels of ‘forceful, inappropriate and excessive use of force,’ and frequent use of force incidents that occurred when workers violated duties. basics such as closing the doors of the rooms or using proper restraints,” the non-profit said in the letter, which was sent to Swain.
“Frighteningly, the Monitor says that prisons are ‘insufficiently staffed to provide security and access to services.’… These failures lead to injury, not just death. .”
An extradition hearing is scheduled for Thursday evening.
Mayor Adams reiterated his criticism of the federal withdrawal on Monday when asked about the Legal Aid letter.
“I’m skeptical of people who think that government control is the end. I mean, [are] Are state prisons the poster child of good prisons?” the mayor said at a press conference.
Manhattan federal prosecutors – who were the first to bring the receiver’s case – softened their stance on the removal, saying in court on Monday that they did not intend to. to participate in the Act Aid motion for one but they said they wanted to reserve the right to immigrate.
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