Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rikers Guards: Sleeping on Job, Sleeping with Inmates
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 29, 2009
Modified Dec 29, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 29, 2009
Modified Dec 29, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A correction officer at Rikers snapped this priceless photo of another guard fast asleep in her chair while a grinning inmate hovers over, mere inches from her big Barney Fife keys. The sleeping officer, Nadja Green, has been at Rikers for over four years, and one source describes her as "the Precious of Corrections," a reference to the movie about a teen from a dysfunctional family. The mother of several children, Green reportedly worked 96 hours of overtime this month. So isn't it kind of a dick move to photograph her while she catches a few hard-earned z's? Green's union thinks so!
Correction Officer Benevolent Association spokesman Michael Skelly tells the Post, "Many correction officers are forced to work 70 to 80 hours of mandatory overtime. Since we don't know the particular circumstances of that particular officer, we are not going to condemn her. She may have been sick. We believe it was highly suspect for the other officer to take a picture and potentially jeopardize her safety." Nevertheless, Green has been placed on modified duty and may face disciplinary action, and the officer who took the photo, Claudel Barrau, is now on modified duty, too.
But Rikers Island—where correction officers were indicted earlier this year for allegedly supervising a prisoner "fight club" that resulted in one inmate's death—is also for lovers. Correction Officer Doreen Baker, 39, may be fired for carrying on an "improper relationship" with a 39-year-old inmate identified only as "Hunter," when she supervised his work detail. Investigators say Hunter called Baker more than 170 times while in jail, and then moved in with her after his release in March 2008. In a recent ruling obtained by the Daily News, a judge recommended that Baker be terminated for fraternizing with a prisoner, which, apparently, is frowned upon. So no napping, no fighting, no loving—can't COs have any fun?
Tagged
love
nap
nyc
photo
prison
Rikers Island
sleeping
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
Despite opposition from teachers unions and top state officials, the decision will allow taxpayers to receive a credit for donating to both public and private educational groups and programs.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:02 p.m. ET
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
A Target store parking lot has become a focal point for activists over ICE’s presence in the neighborhood.
By
David Brand
News
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
A Target store parking lot has become a focal point for activists over ICE’s presence in the neighborhood.
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
By
Arya Sundaram
Attorneys argue man shot by ICE in Marble Hill should be released
By
Ben Feuerherd
,
Ryan Kost
,
Samantha Max
and
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .