New York state seeks expedited timeline to close city's Rikers Island jail
Source: Reuters
U.S. FEBRUARY 14, 2018 / 4:02 PM / UPDATED 16 HOURS AGO
New York state seeks expedited timeline to close city's Rikers Island jail
Peter Szekely
3 MIN READ
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York state officials on Wednesday recommended speeding up New York Citys timeline for closing its Rikers Island jail, saying the troubled facility is violating inmates constitutional rights and state laws.
Although New York Mayor Bill de Blasio last March laid out a timeline of up to 10 years for closing the jail, the state Commission of Correction, called the schedule unreasonable, given the rise in violent incidents and degrading conditions at the complex.
Consequently, given the citys inaction and protracted 10-year proposal, it is now time for the commission to examine steps to expeditiously close Rikers and to ensure that the constitutional rights of inmates and staff are protected, the commission, which is appointed by the governor, said in a report to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
A mayoral spokeswoman noted that a federal monitor overseeing the jail is charged with raising concerns about inmates constitutional protections, but has yet to do so.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-york-prison-rikers/new-york-state-seeks-expedited-timeline-to-close-citys-rikers-island-jail-idUSKCN1FY2Z1