Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Thousands remained at Rikers despite making bail. Now, they’re collecting $143 million.
By
Matt Katz
Published Jul 13, 2023
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 .
rblfmr / Shutterstock
By
Matt Katz
Published Jul 13, 2023
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
New York City will pay nearly $143 million to more than 40,000 people who were held for hours at Rikers Island and other city jails after they were supposed to be released on bail, a judge ruled this week.
The payout stems from a 2017 class-action lawsuit that alleged detainees were being held as long as a day after they were supposed to be released. In a settlement last year, the city agreed to pay claimants $3,500 apiece if officers failed to release them within three hours after bail was paid. Approximately 72,000 people were affected between October 2014 and October 2022, attorneys on the case said and 41% of them filed claims.
The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, alleged that the reason for long delays in releasing people included malfunctioning computers and unavailable staff. The Department of Correction said it has since implemented a system to expedite the release of people after bail is posted.
The total payout — $142.9 million — is far higher than attorneys expected and could grow since late claims will be accepted until November.
Attorneys on the case from Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel undertook an extensive public relations campaign to get the word out about the settlement — posting a website and ads in English and Spanish on TV, newspaper, radio and social media. Notices about the settlement were displayed on buses and subways, in homeless shelters and public housing complexes, and at methadone programs and bodegas.
Vasudha Talla, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said the extraordinary number of people who came forward to claim money reflects the fact that this is “a really meaningful settlement for them for the harm they suffered.”
“To receive this money not only addresses that harm, but allows them to carry on their lives,” Talla said.
Tagged
public safety
rikers
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
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
Because a mandarin duck has been frolicking in Flushing, here are your early links: RHONY star racked up a lot of parking tickets, 57 best Italian restaurants in New Jersey, Judi Dench said the "Cats" movie was bad and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 9:40 a.m. ET
NYPD hate crime unit investigates smashed windows, ‘Pal Action’ graffiti at UES Capital One
The bank previously faced protests over a $90 million loan to an Israeli drone company.
By
Ryan Kost
News
NYPD hate crime unit investigates smashed windows, ‘Pal Action’ graffiti at UES Capital One
The bank previously faced protests over a $90 million loan to an Israeli drone company.
By
Ryan Kost
A reliably Republican part of NJ, until ICE came to town
By
Mike Hayes
NYC school integration debate exposes tensions between Black parents and Mamdani
By
Elizabeth Kim
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
By
Giulia Heyward
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 .