A federal judge in Manhattan has found New York City in contempt over the deteriorating conditions in its city jails, stating that conditions have worsened since a settlement was reached nine years ago regarding accusations of abuse and violence. The ruling by Judge Laura Taylor Swain addressed 18 separate contempt claims, highlighting ongoing issues within the city's Department of Correction.
The litigation, initiated in 2012 by the Legal Aid Society and others, alleged a pattern of excessive and unnecessary force within city jails. Despite a settlement and consent decree in 2015, Judge Swain noted that conditions have not improved over the past decade.
According to the ruling, rates of violence, self-harm, and deaths in custody have increased since the consent judgment was put into effect. The judge emphasized that use of force, stabbings, fights, assaults on staff, and in-custody deaths remain alarmingly high, posing significant risks to inmates and staff at Rikers Island jails.
As a result of the contempt finding, all parties involved are required to collaborate on identifying and implementing remedies in the coming weeks. The Department of Correction and the Legal Aid Society have yet to comment on the ruling.
Advocates for inmates had previously urged the judge to hold the city in contempt and place it under receivership, citing ongoing use of prohibited techniques by correction officers and a lack of action by agency leadership to address abuses. In response, Judge Swain directed city officials to develop a plan for a potential federal takeover of Rikers Island in September.
The ruling underscores the persistent challenges facing New York City's correctional system and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in city jails.
