Judge Orders NYC to Plan for Potential Federal Takeover of Rikers Island

The directive follows a hearing on the city's failure to curb violence and mismanagement at the notorious jail.

U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain has directed New York City officials to develop a plan for a potential federal takeover of Rikers Island by November 12.
The directive comes amid ongoing concerns about violence, abuse, and mismanagement at the jail, which houses over 6,000 inmates.
Despite years of court-ordered reforms and the appointment of multiple commissioners, conditions at Rikers have continued to deteriorate, with increased incidents of violence and use of force by correction officers.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Powell argued that the city should be held in contempt for failing to comply with long-standing court orders aimed at improving conditions at the jail.
Judge Swain emphasized the need for new measures to address systemic issues in the jail's management, including the possibility of appointing an independent receiver to oversee reforms.