A federal monitor overseeing New York City’s violent and dangerous jails asked a judge on Monday to consider holding the Department of Correction and its commissioner in contempt for disobeying court orders, opening the possibility that officials could be punished for failing to improve conditions.
Conditions on Rikers Island have only worsened since the Correction Department developed an improvement plan a year ago, Mr. Martin wrote.
Doors are still not properly secured, correction officers continue to abandon posts and detainees often gather in high-security areas, he said.
During routine searches, officers miss weapons, which have later been used in violent episodes, Mr. Martin said.
Last year, 19 people died in city jails or at hospitals soon after release — the deadliest year in nearly a decade.
Persons:
Steve J, Martin
Organizations:
York, of Correction, Correction Department
Locations:
Manhattan, Rikers