Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Law Will Force Rikers Island To Be More Transparent
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Aug 22, 2014
Modified Aug 22, 2014
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 .
Gothamist
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Aug 22, 2014
Modified Aug 22, 2014
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
After a federal investigation, a lawsuit over the death of an inmate, and a shocking expose on the widespread use of solitary confinement on juvenile defenders, the City Council has passed a Rikers Island transparency bill that aims to have the jail produce quarterly reports on its treatment of inmates.
The bill, sponsored by Council Member Daniel Dromm, aims to bring out into the light long-standing practices that are underreported by the Department of Correction. The bill focuses on the use of "punitive segregation," in which an inmate (who could still be awaiting trial) is put in isolation for months at a time, sometimes resulting in serious mental health issues.
The bill stipulates that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will help the Department of Correction to report every quarter the following information:
•The total number of inmates housed in punitive segregation
•Their age, race, and gender
• Length of stay
• Whether they’ve been injured, attempted or committed suicide while segregated
• Whether they were sexually or physically assaulted
• Whether they were subject to use of force
• Whether they received certain services such as recreation and showers, medical attention and phone calls as well as a number of other indicators.
“Brutality at Riker's Island has been well documented," Council Member Daniel Dromm, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. "Today we take an important first step in changing that culture of brutality. We are enacting legislation aimed at clearly sending a message that we will no longer tolerate the violation of anyone's constitutional rights, be they incarcerated or not."
At a Department of Correction graduation yesterday, Commissioner Joseph Ponte told the graduates and collected officers that there was much more to the Department of Correction than what is written in the press. "The majority of our staff are committed to the agency’s goals and perform their duties in a professional manner, day in and day out, under very difficult circumstances,” Ponte told graduates. “Change starts with the individual, not the agency, so we all need to look at ourselves and what we need to change for the department to change."
Tagged
department of correction
juvenile justice
Rikers Island
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
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 .