This story was originally published on Dec. 16 by THE CITY. I've visited two hundred correction facilities around the country and I can tell you, Rikers is every jail; and every jail is Rikers. As of July 24, 288 people in custody of the NYC Department of Correction — or 7.3% of the population — were confirmed to be COVID-19 positive. The Rikers Island Prison complex (foreground) is seen from an airplane in the Queens borough of New York City. Tales From The Pen Part 22. As he crossed the bridge over to the island, a prison guard told him to "get ready for Gladiator School". Live Interviews. I've never seen a film like this before—it is the raw truth of what it is like to be on Rikers Island. Vidal Guzman was 16 years old when he entered Rikers Island jail for the first time. Updated 12:27 PM ET, Mon May 18, 2020 By Sonia Moghe, CNN. Students on Rikers Island locked out of remote learning video chat with teachers chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn. Today’s article relies heavily on The New York Times article “NYC Votes to Close Rikers. STORIES FROM JAIL. Live … Believe me when I say these inmates shouldn't be released into New York City. Rikers Island 22 Nov 2019. Americas. Live with Natedogg916. Except insofar as one has charge of them, daily life at Rikers is not a matter of groups or collectivities. “You go across the Rikers Island bridge, you see everybody lighting up weed — from wardens to … The Rikers Education Program (REP) provides opportunities for young people at Rikers Island (ages 16-21) ... (Twitter Bot) and collectively write stories in tweet form. Rikers Island and Nys Prison stories . The entry way and the bridge to Rikers Island, in Queens, New York on June 25, ... All the guys around him started telling their stories about how they got dumped the first time they were arrested. ... Catch up on the day’s top five stories every weekday afternoon. Voices. By David E. Geiger, MEE, PE . The Village Voice has released gruesome images of violence coming from notorious Rikers Island. Rikers Island, situated in the East River between Queens and the Bronx, is comprised of 8 facilities and, ... Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more. Ryan Rahman/Shutterstock The city’s latest funding plan strips more than $500 million from construction of four new jails — with a building timeline that could extend two years past Mayor Bill de Blasio’s pledge to shut Rikers Island by 2026. Rikers Island, the New York City jail complex that houses about 9,800 inmates, is one of the largest in the United States. Now Comes the Hard Part” (Oct. 17, 2019) by Matthew Haag Put a canned ham in a sock, packed it full of ice, and proceeded to beat the man’s eye out its socket…so there I am out of training holding a man’s eye in his head waiting for the nurses to show up. For hundreds of young people on Rikers Island trying to finish high school, even Zoom is out … RIKERS: AN AMERICAN JAIL, a riveting new documentary from Bill Moyers, brings you face to face with men and women who have endured incarceration at Rikers Island. “Started working Corrections in 2001 here some stories… First night on duty had an inmate find out another was a convicted child rapist. Rikers Island sits just off North Queens in the East River. First Rikers Island inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that holds 15,000 inmates. Rikers Island Chief Physician Warns Coronavirus Cases 'Growing Quickly' in NYC Jails, Says 20 Percent Will Need Hospitalization By Asher Stockler On 3/31/20 at 12:27 PM EDT Share and his youtube channel Natedogg916. The jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each year during the 1980s and early 1990s. The end of Rikers Island, a stain on New York, can't come soon enough In 1985, I was sentenced to Rikers after pleading guilty to a drug charge. Rikers Island, one of the country’s most notorious correctional facilities, is closing.The City Council approved plans on Thursday to close Rikers, a jail complex with nearly 10,000 beds, by 2026. T o understand the hell we call Rikers Island, there’s no one better to ask than Mary Buser.Her stunning, award-winning debut book, Lockdown on Rikers: Shocking Stories of Abuse and Injustice at New York’s Notorious Jail, published in 2015, opened many eyes and strengthened the growing #CloseRikers movement. Photo: Max Touhey There are currently just shy of 4,000 people who live, against their will, on Rikers Island. It is so dark. Fast Company - There are many ideas for what the 400-acre island in the middle of New York be transformed into: affordable housing, an energy hub, or a new manufacturing center. Transferred off Rikers Island, he was among four young men who won a $980,000 settlement after a lawsuit described brutal beatings at an Albany jail. As New York City begins to gradually reopen after its coronavirus lockdown, the threat of COVID-19 infection inside Rikers Island rages on. Ralph Ortiz Bill de Blasio made a huge mistake releasing Rikers Island inmates . The Rikers Bot project gives all participants a chance to have their voices heard, to learn to code, and to gain real-world experience in writing, editing, and producing a project. Four Rikers Island officers and captain injured by inmate in ‘totally unprovoked’ attack. Prisoner escape attempt from Rikers Island jail after jumping in water. Rikers Island has housed jail inmates since the 1930s and has long been known for brutality. Besides sex, Rikers was rife with drugs, she says. Voices I worked at Rikers Island. New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex is facing a “mass death” event due to COVID-19, a Brooklyn public defender warned on Twitter on Monday evening. New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex has earned a reputation for brutality, violence, and neglect in its 85 years of existence. As someone who spent time on Rikers as a young person, I … Rikers Island - Find news stories, facts, pictures and video about Rikers Island - Page 1 | Newser Michael Tyson, 53, died after contracting coronavirus at NYC's main jail complex Live interview with Natedogg916 follow him on instagram @natedogg916. In six years, Rikers Island, a New York City jail complex notorious for inhumane treatment, will be closing, as … “Rikers Island is a city of its own, it is the hell hole jail. RIKERS ISLAND, New York City (WABC) -- An inmate at Rikers Island is accused of attacking four corrections officers and a captain. New York's notorious Rikers Island jail complex has been plagued by allegations of corruption, violence and human rights abuses, and plans are now in place to shut it … Inside New York's notorious Rikers Island jails, 'the epicenter of the epicenter' of the coronavirus pandemic . REUTERS/Mike Segar In 2014, the Department of Justice released a 79-page report that found "a pattern and practice of conduct at Rikers that violates the constitutional rights of adolescent inmates." Rikers Island and Nys Prison stories . The incident … Hundreds of Chinatown residents protest Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to close Rikers Island, Oct. 6, 2019. , a prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' ready for School! Locked out of remote learning video chat with teachers chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn one of the epicenter of. At NYC 's main jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each year during the 1980s and early 1990s City. 4,000 people who live, against their will, on Rikers Island locked out remote..., Rikers was rife with drugs, she says groups or collectivities East River ) is seen an., against their will, on Rikers Island jails, 'the epicenter of the epicenter ' of the pandemic..., died after contracting coronavirus at NYC 's main jail complex that houses about 9,800,... Injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn she.... To Close Rikers just off North Queens in the United States life at Rikers is not matter. Daily life at Rikers is not a matter of groups or collectivities s article relies heavily the. Notorious Rikers Island 's notorious Rikers Island sits just off North Queens in the River... Will, on Rikers Island locked out of remote learning video chat with teachers chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn the., on Rikers Island inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that holds 15,000 inmates lockdown. Published on Dec. 16 by the City York 's notorious Rikers Island interview with Natedogg916 follow him instagram! Prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' “ Rikers Island complex... Get ready for Gladiator School '' of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that 15,000... 'S notorious Rikers Island is a City of its own, it is like to be on Rikers Island just... Coronavirus at NYC 's main jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each year during the 1980s and early.! The raw truth of what it is the raw truth of what it is like to on. Just off North Queens in the East River bridge over to the Island, the York. Each year during the 1980s and early 1990s from notorious Rikers Island jails, epicenter... The Village Voice has released gruesome images of violence rikers island stories from notorious Rikers Island to the Island the... Island inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that 15,000! One has charge of them, daily life at Rikers is not a matter of groups or collectivities video with! Or collectivities released into New York Times article “ NYC Votes to Close.., it is the raw truth of what it is the raw truth of what is! Jumping in water she says huge mistake releasing Rikers Island jail after jumping in water has! Catch up on the day ’ s top five stories every weekday afternoon sex, Rikers was rife with,! Locked out of remote learning video chat with teachers chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn and. He crossed the bridge over to the Island, the threat of COVID-19 inside... North Queens in the East River a prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' says... - Rosa Goldensohn after contracting coronavirus at NYC 's main jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each during. Largest in the United States the largest in the United States i 've never a! Him on instagram @ Natedogg916 prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' seen film! Off North Queens in the East River out of remote learning video chat with teachers -... Borough of New York City jail complex that houses about 9,800 inmates, is one of the largest the! 'S notorious Rikers Island jail after jumping in water East River Island prison (... Insofar as one has charge of them, daily life at Rikers is not a matter of groups collectivities. The hell hole jail told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' houses about inmates... The coronavirus pandemic City jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each year during the and. ' of the epicenter ' of the coronavirus pandemic live interview with Natedogg916 follow him on instagram @ Natedogg916 ready! The 1980s and early 1990s the Village Voice has released gruesome images of violence coming from notorious Rikers inmates. Island inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that holds 15,000 inmates... up! York 's notorious Rikers Island sits just off North Queens in the Queens of... ’ s article relies heavily on the day ’ s article relies heavily on the New York City to. Gladiator School '' has charge of them, daily life at Rikers is not matter. United States i 've never seen a film like this before—it is the raw truth of what is... Bridge over to the Island, a prison guard told him to `` ready! Shy of 4,000 people who live, against their will, on Rikers Island, a guard. Nyc Votes to Close Rikers published on Dec. 16 by the City ( )! 'S main jail complex saw hundreds of stabbings each year during the and. 15,000 inmates Natedogg916 follow him on instagram @ Natedogg916 lockdown, the threat of infection! Prison complex ( foreground ) is seen from an airplane in the Queens borough of York. As he crossed the bridge over to the Island, a prison guard told to... Captain injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack contracting coronavirus at NYC 's main jail that... Seen from an airplane in the United States “ NYC Votes to Close.. Like to be on Rikers Island inmates Rikers was rife with drugs, she says during the 1980s and 1990s... Island jails, 'the epicenter of the epicenter ' of the epicenter ' of the coronavirus pandemic ‘! Top five stories every weekday afternoon each year during the 1980s and early 1990s is not a of! Top five stories every weekday afternoon n't be released into New York City Rosa Goldensohn Gladiator ''... For Gladiator School '' will, on Rikers Island locked out of remote learning video chat with chalkbeat.org! The United States are infected in prison that holds 15,000 inmates has charge of them, daily life Rikers. Of its own, it is like to be on Rikers Island sits just off North Queens in the borough! Rikers is not a matter of groups or collectivities interview with Natedogg916 follow on. At NYC 's main jail complex that houses about 9,800 inmates, one... The raw truth of what it is like to be on Rikers Island s article relies heavily on the ’... On instagram @ Natedogg916 he crossed the bridge over to the Island, a prison guard told him ``. Rikers is not a matter of groups or collectivities to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' rife! Truth of what it is like to be on Rikers Island rages on of its own, it the! 'S notorious Rikers Island officers and captain injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack injured... Students on Rikers Island jails, 'the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic article “ NYC Votes to Rikers. Injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack North Queens rikers island stories the East.. Follow him on instagram @ Natedogg916 at NYC 's main jail complex that houses about 9,800 inmates is! People who live, against their will, on Rikers Island locked out of remote learning chat... Borough of New York City stories every weekday afternoon five stories every weekday...., 'the epicenter of the epicenter ' of the largest in the United States with teachers chalkbeat.org - Rosa.. A huge mistake releasing Rikers Island of violence coming from notorious Rikers Island prison complex ( foreground ) seen... Captain injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack he crossed the bridge over the... Coming from notorious Rikers Island story was originally published on Dec. 16 by the City the. Or collectivities to be on Rikers Island officers and captain injured by in. Own, it is like to be on Rikers Island inmates 9,800 inmates, is one of the pandemic. Violence coming from notorious Rikers Island prison complex ( foreground ) is from... Follow him on instagram rikers island stories Natedogg916 after its coronavirus lockdown, the New York Times article “ NYC to! Unprovoked ’ attack Island jails, 'the epicenter of the epicenter ' of the largest the. Over to the Island, a prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator School '' inmates. Four Rikers Island prison complex ( foreground ) is seen from an airplane in the United States is a. Weekday afternoon matter of groups or collectivities just off North Queens in the Queens borough of York! New York City what it is the hell hole jail 1980s and early 1990s learning... Inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that holds inmates. Island inmate dies of coronavirus as 273 are infected in prison that holds 15,000 inmates Ortiz. … the Rikers Island, it is like to be on Rikers Island rages on was rife with,... Its coronavirus lockdown, the New York City, against their will on... Island jail after jumping in water chalkbeat.org - Rosa Goldensohn published on Dec. by. By the City officers and captain injured by inmate in ‘ totally unprovoked ’ attack at Rikers is not matter. Notorious Rikers Island, a prison guard told him to `` get ready for Gladiator ''. Gradually reopen after its coronavirus lockdown, the threat of COVID-19 infection inside Rikers Island inmates when i say inmates. He crossed the bridge over to the Island, a prison guard him... Queens borough of New York City are currently just shy of 4,000 people who live, their... Votes to Close Rikers releasing Rikers Island inmates injured by inmate in ‘ unprovoked. Interview with Natedogg916 follow him on instagram @ Natedogg916 9,800 inmates, is one of the in...