Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Thousands on Rikers still not getting scheduled medical care
By
Matt Katz
Published Apr 4, 2022
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 .
Shutterstock
By
Matt Katz
Published Apr 4, 2022
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
More than 8,000 inmates on Rikers Island missed their medical appointments in February, city data shows, indicating that a long-standing health care problem at the troubled jail complex is getting worse.
Lack of access to medical care is one of the reasons advocates say there’s a humanitarian crisis at the troubled jail complex. In December a state judge ordered that the Department of Correction provide adequate medical care to inmates, but they nonetheless missed 6,792 appointments in January and 8,402 in February, records showed.
City data shows that inmates are largely responsible for these high numbers, because most of the missed appointments were due to inmates refusing to go to the medical clinic. But attorneys representing inmates said inmates may have not been told of their appointments, and they filed a suit to have the DOC held in contempt of court.
That motion is currently under review by a state judge.
“The latest data is further proof that DOC remains unwilling to protect the health and safety of the New Yorkers in its custody,” lawyers from the Legal Aid Society and the Brooklyn Defenders said in a statement. “This failure results in daily suffering, sickness, and pain. We once again call on the courts, prosecutors, and elected officials to use every avenue to effect immediate decarceration.”
A judge previously ordered the DOC provide access to clinics five days a week and within 24 hours of making a sick call, and to ensure security for detainees headed to their appointments. Often, attorneys said, there aren’t enough corrections officers to take detainees to their appointments, given that the absence rate among correctional staff is about 30%.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of the inmates seeks a $250 fine for every time the DOC fails to provide an escort to a medical appointment.
“Non-production of clinic appointments varies from month to month, depending in large part on individuals in custody who have the right to refuse treatment and appointments, as well as other factors," a DOC spokesperson said in a statement Monday. "We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our custody has access to quality medical care.”
Tagged
rikers
medical
department of correction
corrections officers
Matt Katz
Matt Katz is a former WNYC & Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .