Rikers Island houses thousands of defendants awaiting trial in New York City in addition to convicted inmates serving short sentences.
Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis/Getty ImagesManhattan’s top federal prosecutor and lawyers for people detained at Rikers Island asked a judge to take the rare step of ordering a federal takeover of the troubled New York jail complex, saying city officials could no longer manage a facility dominated by brutal conditions.
The formal request comes after years of litigation over safety at Rikers Island, which houses thousands of defendants awaiting trial in addition to convicted inmates serving short sentences.
The lawyers also asked that a judge find New York City in contempt for violating prior court orders requiring improved conditions at its jails.
Persons:
Andrew Lichtenstein
Organizations:
New
Locations:
New York City, York, Rikers