Exclusive Look Inside Rikers Island

The Manhattan District Attorney is advising prosecutors not to ask for bail for certain non-violent offenses that could put someone on Rikers Island. CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas got an exclusive look inside to see how the Department of Correction is trying to turn things around.

[@LB-on8jr]

It's real ignorant for people to say everyone in Rikers is a criminal. There's people in there because of addiction and mental illness who aren't getting the help or medication they need. There's also innocent people in there awaiting trial and suffering in horrible conditions that will haunt them forever and possibly lead to mental health issues. So don't say everyone in there deserves what's happening. All it takes is matching a description sometimes and next thing you know you're in there a year waiting to prove your innocence and they just keep pushing back your court dates.

[@kennedyking7392]

This 👏👏

[@LB-on8jr]

@@kennedyking7392 It's so frustrating what's been going on & It's been going on for years. Politicians and Legislators talk about the crisis and ways to improve things but clearly it's not top priority. Once you cross that bridge you're just a number.

[@OFFICIAL_GIL]

I was arrested for having a stolen bus pass I received from my teacher and forgot to sign the back of it and processed n book couldn’t make bail case thrown out fuck the nypd

[@CrashOutTiming718]

Isn’t there a meth clinic on rikers

[@simduk9621]

How many Correction officers resigned?!?!?

[@danielberg7644]

How about conditions on the streets and retail?

[@n_Y_c__n_Y_c]

As a youth I spent time on rikers Island c76 is the worst jail in there because of the juveniles, juveniles are very vicious, rikers Island is called Razor City

[@WookHarlem]

Ask that Spanish lady if all the inmates can live at her house if it wasn't for rikers island I wouldn't be drug free and I as a inmate saw people doing time nothing more nothing less this era is sweeter then sweet it's jail remember where bad people go stop crying and start using common sense

[@QnzColdest]

You’ve never been locked up stop lying. Because if you were then you’d know jail isnt prison. People in jail are innocent until proven guilty. So not only did you expose yourself as a liar but you showed that you’re the one that needs to start using common sense.

[@QnzColdest]

Also you’re in one video saying you’re 36 and grew up fine in the middle class, but here you’re saying you were an inmate. Also you’re saying this era is sweeter than yours was but on other comments you’re saying things are bad now and need to be fixed like they were when you were growing up. THEN ON another post you typed “Woo K” like you’re some gang banging teenager, but on a different one you’re saying the community needs to be cleaned up lmao. You know people can see your other posts by clicking your profile right? You’re a whole 🤡 my guy. Get a life.

[@chadlewis1751]

Question: what’s the shortesybridge in the world to cross but the longest to get back over? Answer: rikers island bridge it took me 2 minutes to cross and 8 months to get back across thank god I haven’t taken the trip in a very long time

[@VictaCheung]

It's a pretty simple solution. Dont go to jail. Half the people in there are probably repeat offenders that contribute nothing to society.

[@VictaCheung]

@Calvin James Cant afford bail? If bail was at 50k you just need 5k to post it. You can afford 5k? Do better in life. We support criminals way too much in NYC. Sounds like you have a friend in there for something and you're constantly screaming "FREE XYZ, hE dOnT dO NuTHuNG". How about you be a public defender, and not work in a warehouse stocking shelves.

[@sarge6870]

@Jay Luz Not for nothing but if you don't have the bail money, you should be concentrating on NOT getting arrested in the first place.

[@oldtimer4888]

Rikers Meat Shop open 24hrs. Go on; clean it up. Those inmates will have that place a total mess again in no time. It's what they do.

[@hoshuasamora5944]

Keep up the great work

[@alisalittle817]

God will punish those against inhumane works.WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN.Inhumane and all knows it.. Pity

[@baliw33]

Poor R Kelly future home?

[@girl38rockify]

Lol

[@1Jfrost]

They don't agree with inmates speaking out because they know what's really going on and they don't want that expose... Rikers Island was supposed to be closed down a couple years ago, what happened to that?

[@angusrosie1]

WHERE YOU GOING TO PUT THEM KATHY THE SEATED GOVERNOR DECIDED TO CLOSE 6 PRISONS AS IT IS A RELEASE THE CRIMINALS ON THE STREETS ARE WE GOING TO CLOSE ALL THE JAILS AS WELL JUST LET THEM ALL RUN LOOSE TO COMMITT WHAT EVER CRIME THEY WANT TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN

[@denisemitchell3010]

Gday luv Who cares it's a sore spot in.our neighborhood Simple don't get involved in criminal activities NO sympathy at all .it's a jail .take away cable weight rooms television special diets What about the victims...

[@familyman600]

Being a CO at Rikers is one of the most stressful jobs imaginable that's why 2000 quit over the last 2 years, it takes a strong person to work there thats why they having a staffing crisis no one wants to work in an environment where its you by yourself trying to manage 30+ gang members, its safer working for Amazon.

[@LB-on8jr]

I understand and feel for all human beings co's & inmates. Part of the big issue there is that it's overcrowded. They could start to alleviate things a bit by sending inmates with mental health and addiction issues to inpatient psychiatric or rehabilitation facilities instead of holding them in rikers knowing there's a shortage in staff. It's poorly run. Who ever is in charge is putting employees and inmates at risk and that's not ok. I understand you commit a crime you do the time but no one should be losing their lives in there. So many things don't make sense about the way the system works. Presumably innocent awaiting trial but a death sentence for the 16 people that died in custody last year. I feel for employees & inmates. God bless them all.

[@lawsemaj]

I'm confused. Don't they hold criminals? The cell isn't supposed to look like the four seasons

[@JDascrambler]

Jail isn’t prison. People in jail are innocent until proven guilty. Hopefully that clears up any confusion you had.

[@emoliver80]

@@JDascrambler I completely get what you're saying, but it's not just Rikers Island...everywhere it is known that prison is actually better than county jail. Although some in jail *have* been proven guilty already, it's just that their sentence was for time less than 1 year. But even where I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, anyone would rather be in prison than to sit in county jail. But yes, for some it isn't right because they have not had court/trial yet and therefore they are innocent until proven guilty and yet they have to remain in such an awful place until their innocence can be determined.

[@lawsemaj]

@@JDascrambler Are there people there that haven't been charged yet yes but you're gonna look me in the eyes and say the people in Rikers are innocent?

[@merkcityboy834]

I'm telling you jail is supposed to be punishment don't fuck up an you won't go simple logic these idiots wanna cuddle these guys an they don't get it they don't care an never will.

[@highlevelproductions]

@@lawsemaj look up kalief browder and the central park 5

[@_andresss07]

Dont go to jail. simple.

[@_andresss07]

@Elise Diaz ✊🏼

[@elitegotenks2204]

No fuck freedom

[@milanrobinson1995]

Pos 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@janeli4616]

So ignorant.

[@familyman600]

Is it really hard to NOT break the law? They got playstations for inmates in there for godsake its not crazy

[@compota8]

Aww so sad please release them all, send them to that nice lady talking with her son on the table she seems nice

[@alisalittle817]

Only 1 creator. 1 . Only 1

[@americanpatriot477]

Prisons and jails are not mentioned to be a nice places! If you don’t want to be in a place like this, the don’t commit crimes!

[@marcortiz4855]

Shad ap. You know not of what you speak. And I’m no lefty, I’m republican. However rikers, is a hell hole. No criminal aside from the child molester deserves those conditions in the greatest city in the world.

[@americanpatriot477]

@@marcortiz4855 So rapists , murders don’t! Come on , it’s way past time that criminals are actually punished!!

[@jmfia2391]

What about the people who are falsely accused of committing a crime? There's so many people in prisons for crimes they didn't commit.

[@americanpatriot477]

@@jmfia2391 Most people that are accused of committing a crime have committed crime in the past but didn’t get caught. When was the last time someone that had a clean record was changed with a crime?

[@odemata87]

@@americanpatriot477 lol

[@noahsantos1069]

They don't want people see what going on in there

[@simduk9621]

Of course not

[@samueltorres521]

To many corruption inside there and abuse

[@merkcityboy834]

Man what's going on there is going on everywhere I'm sick of these big cities get all the spot light while the rest of the places just like that get none.

[@amateur-madman3047]

@@merkcityboy834 True. Prison is like that across the country

[@BoppityBop632]

try to avoid going to rikers

[@boogaloo8204]

Did that reporter sound like she was about to cry?

[@Sony-Warranty]

seems like she was warned about what not to say and what not to show

[@Bastet987]

@@Sony-Warranty TAKE THE WHEEL!!!

[@kingmegaone]

compare to the 90s Rikers is a 5 star resort just ask anyone that went to that gladiator school where Latin kings, bloods, trinitarios lived a never ending battle plus abusive corrupted Correctional officers now days is way nicer than back then but it is still jail to hold inmate awaiting sentences until their cases get solve or they get convicted and go up north. Most are the same people doing all the crazy stuff in the subway after coming home🤦🏻‍♂️

[@OVERHERE-OVERHERE]

Absolutely, I’m a retired correction officer started in the 80s, Inmates had fear, fear is a great motivator.

[@merkcityboy834]

Only thing changed is social media it's easier to shed light on what's going on back then they were limited on what they could do.

[@nicktee0]

That old lady is part of the problem showing sympathy for those criminals, What about the victims they crucified. These guys lucky they in America prison system. For god sake they gets 3 meals a day, and a better health insurance than honest and hardworking people outside.

[@boogaloo8204]

Whoa who did they crucify? That's sick AF .....why would they do that to someone?

[@boogaloo8204]

But it's not just criminals that find themselves locked up bro I'm from the uk and I was held on remand for 2yrs before I was released and I was totally innocent of that particular crime

[@JD-ny3vz]

You know there's lots of innocent people on Rikers who haven't even seen trial yet right smh.

[@nicktee0]

@@JD-ny3vz so all those guys you saw in the video are innocent? You part of the problem too..

[@deafmusician2]

Here's an idea, don't break the law

[@mandymoore5774]

Do you know every single citizen commits on average 2 felonies a day?! So seriously? Wake up before you comment on shit ya don’t shit about!

[@sarge6870]

@@mandymoore5774 Really? EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN? I been home all day putting up Christmas decorations and haven't left the house so your "Theory" is baseless!! Maybe YOU need to stop commenting on "Shit ya don't know about"!!

[@angusrosie1]

@@mandymoore5774 BS COMMENT I HAVE NEVER COMMITTED 1 FELONY YET ALONE 2 A DAY I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU GET THIS INFO FROM BUT IT IS XOMPLETE BS AND UNTRUE ONLY CRIMINALS COMMITT 2 FELONIES A DAY FOR GOD SAKE WAKE UP ONLY DANGEROUS PEOPLE GET PUT IN RIKERS STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR CRIMINALS WHO BREAK THE LAW

[@TheMondizzl3]

Rikers is on another level of violence

[@yasinali3754]

Take away the retirement funds

[@cholitobxny]

Huh

[@familyman600]

Then no one will work there with those sweet little angels

[@oneseedaway6062]

Lots of little demons in that place, don't put demons in heaven. They can't be reformed unless they want to be reformed.

[@TR-gg5er]

Funny , that's exactly how the cops think:) .... Their a product of their environment. When you stop looking at the inmates as human beings and look at them as you would say "demons " Then any mistreatment is justifiable. They ne ed d a more therapeutic environment I. The prison system . It should be treated as a mental health facility .

[@TheUniversalEyes]

Last night I re-watched that old HBO special about Rikers that was made 30 years ago and even then it looked like a hell hole. Some of those guards weren't any better than the people who were locked up. I can only imagine how bad it is now. Some of the flaws that I see with not just this prison, but others is the fact that prisoners seem to have too many freedoms to move around freely amongst other inmates, which brings forth more violence. Prisons should model themselves after the Black Dolphin prison, inmates are handled one person at a time.

[@Carminesson]

People forget…or were still living in the midwest. nothing now is as bad as it was 30 years ago.

[@joejohnson2478]

Yeah man, word, that Beast6228 is right. I got one guard to bring me some weed in my cell for me to smoke. I reported this guard for violating my rights. He should know that you can't smoke weed indoors now. That's against the law!

[@lisap4251]

That lady that was a mother she said I can’t believe that small cell 🤨 When you commit crimes you go to jail! Maybe if parents started paying attention to their kids and when they act up kick them in the ASS

[@cheaterhertz.8396]

watch Time, the story of Kalief Browder on netflix. That is what Rikers is like

[@rasheeda1303]

At least we have an update👍

[@maureendesmond1489]

How are their so many problems on Rikers Island because,they say that they only house 6 thousand inmates counting the brough jails and the boat.The city jails use to house 20,000 inmates at one time for detainees and parole violations. You must realize correction is care CUSTODY and control. Many of these social WORKERS and counselors mean well but,change comes from with in.That is way we of inmates arrested 16 17 times and still out here committing crimes. This inmates will and have con many of workers in different job status who tried to help lost their jobs feeling sorry for their bullshit stories.Most are the best con artists alive.It is a very hard job to work and the good programs that they had were dismissed for the detainees.These male need more men social workers and counselors to work with them.

[@incrediblejaboy]

The problem is the justice system. I dont care what happens to these evil criminals ! the problem is ones who get swept into jail for stupid shit like contempt of court just dumb ass stuff.. IF you hurt someone I could care less if your cell is small or you are unhappy

[@choosenone2203]

Apology not accepted and is not enough. The violence is a cycle. Alot of inmate are incarcerated tortured and then when their time is served released into the public to terrorize more potential victims. The guilty should be locked up but does the punishment fit the crime for non violent criminals to be treated like animals.

[@william33870]

Don't ask for bail and no jail

[@bennierichardson9077]

DON'T DO THE CRIME, IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME 😂😂😂😂

[@boogaloo8204]

Why dont the cons just absolutely wreck the place if should be torn down with all the bad stuff that's taken place there really isnt nothing that's going to change people's opinion

[@christophermclean3921]

Commissioner wants to apologize for mass incarceration? Tell that to the victims and there families. I vehemently disagree . Rikers has been broken for a long time. Care, custody, control were taught in the academy. I hear the cameras made things worse . As far as inmates dying there certainly needs to be addressed. I myself feel bad for that. I’m sure many were preventable. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.

[@hazir38]

This is why you have repeated offenders.. cause the jails are more of a luxury... To most criminals its a long term vacation..

[@evangelinebrandt9851]

Another degree of first class hell. CO's needs extensive training. New policies needs to be in place. Are they still open??🤪🙄

[@cindycalderon6012]

they need to just shut this place down! "The New Jim Crow"

[@ralphchumable]

What do they want a country club....jail is jail

[@OVERHERE-OVERHERE]

NYC Correction Officer, A thankless, faceless job.

[@og_love]

YOU DID IT FOR THE MONEY AND BENEFITS CUT IT OUT ..LOL

[@coochiecrook7120]

I'm sorry, paint isn't the problem!

[@ItsNishaLaurenWest]

“ those little cells “ it’s not supposed to be like a house it’s a jail

[@paulhintonquietstores4796]

Dr. BIGGER NIGHT CLUBS PROMOTER

[@brooklynfinesteny3687]

What they need to do is dismantle the so called Turtles all they do is beat them adolescence up……

[@itsjustaguy27]

Shiiid co’s should trained and blicked up

[@MissDior413]

this black reporter is a robot cap or slap

[@mask-n-gloves5280]

So I'm assuming R Kelly ain't coming to Rikers.

[@baliw33]

The Booty Warrior is waiting on Kells!

[@mask-n-gloves5280]

@@baliw33 🤣🤣

[@reggie93441]

Rikers Island is not supposed to be the Hilton Hotel why?Because these are not upstanding citizens at Rikers if they were they wouldn't be.Not sure why we should reward felons for bad behavior otherwise what's the point of having prisons.

[@randywilliams8163]

Still has a minimum standard of living conditions... per the law established that you promote being enforced. You can't have it both ways.

[@victorsforza5578]

Many people who are at rikers are awaiting trial & haven't been convicted yet..

[@savannahweinstein111]

@@victorsforza5578 exactly. Rikers is a jail not a prison. 85% of people there are still presumed innocent

[@enricorodrigues-castragran7810]

Yeah ots not supposed to be a hotel and the guards and such isnt supposed to give inmates drugs and weapons and blackmail them to get their family to pay them. I get your outlook on them being criminals but you have to point out the terrible shit the "law" enforcement do...how can you expect the inmates to be rehabilitated if the correction officers are not CORRECTING and are CORRUPTED smh

[@victorsforza5578]

@@savannahweinstein111 also many haven't been sentenced, some are appealing convictions, some are there for fairly minor offenses(not excusing criminal behavior) or some other reason other than they are hardened criminals. It seems rikers has run it's course & something else needs to be done. Just my 2cents.

[@isabelle7321]

Thx....x, ok

[@sammekawy4564]

Hell on earth

[@brittanygarbey2371]

For once SHUT UP!!!!!!!! The resolution is to stop throwing JUDGEMENTAL stones at the youth who are distressed from the gate with experiencing No one to listen, No one to truly care about their well being.....and the list of destruction of mind and emotion continues!!!!!! LEARN HOW TO KEEP QUITE AND LISTEN TO THEIR PAIN NOT JUST HEAR IT BEFORE YOU START IMPLEMENTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES!!!!! Maybe then a great change will occur in the lives of those who have suffered LONG enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😪

[@tawannawilson8160]

My son's in rikers Island as we right I am terrified have not spoke to my son in 5 days I've been getting threatening phone calls if I don't send $100 that my son owes for weed and cigarettes the inmates is going to keep beating. As a parent I'm not speaking for just I'm speaking for all inmates that's a afraid to open up they mouth . The person that called was a blessing the reason why even though the phone calls are recorded he still told me exactly what they made him do to my son this inmate did not want to beat my son up he didn't have a choice to . I'm sick to my stomach my son has mental-health issues he's on suicide watch. I need all the prayers

[@Snip42]

Did he get out?

[@BIPDSHAWAII]

Real change for a detention center means more medical staff and mental health treatment, nutrition, fresh air/exercise, NA AA meetings, larger cells with less crowding, phones that work, a schedule that allows you to meet with your lawyer to prepare for trial, a positive space for visitation, books ,board games and a TV for every cell, A/C and heating when temps get into dangerous ranges, enough toilet paper and cleaning supplies. This is bare minimum stuff that most jails and prisons in Europe already have.

[@lawrenceterrell8471]

Rikers island needs to be shut down it's been years and years of mistreatment of guards and resident that have there they don't care about the condition that they created

[@btecalvin]

@ryry32 they both are animals some officers are gangstas too so they know what to do

[@z125bro7]

1 main house of pain if you know you know

[@u.s.militia7682]

Why is there never any real advancement in corrections? There’s no rehabilitation. It’s a school for criminals to hone their skills.

[@bobbyeldridge7767]

Reason why there would be fishies on the ground, Some inmates throw it on the guards! Most inmates are mentally imbalanced! And they got them high on medication, That's why the food stinks! Because if you go to look at the Medline almost every inmate except for a few are taking medication! And most jails have levels, minimal security, middle Security, in high-security, And then you have your people in red that are suicidal and usually, they're in the whole or in protective custody! If you're in the high or medium security there's a lot of people that ain't playing with a full deck! And they start fights there screaming during lockdown Anarchy all the time! But depending on your criminal record is where you'll be housed! And I'm sure the deaths are not in the minimum security, unless they're natural death!

[@choppastyle6030]

We want the inmates to talk because coz be running with inmates

[@daddy7594]

Here’s an idea …. Don’t get arrested

[@boogaloo8204]

Yay give them new beds and a lick of paint and that should stop the stabbings and murders and suicides and prison guard brutality and on and on and on

[@choosenone2203]

Is it a Correctional institution or torture chamber for someone sick pleasure

[@swdupree1]

Why they don’t speak about the former officer that get cancer from that site?

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

Prisoners need work-training-art

[@shaad6079]

Reporter cold asf 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Dr.Pepper001]

Was that Elias I saw?

[@shaayla4567]

We will see. Hopefully this commissioner does much better

[@blissfull7648]

Get out of her my people

[@Marc816]

NYC S____THOLE

[@simduk9621]

Corruption!!!corruption !!! District Attorney must enforced the low not to make up the law!!!

[@therealsaezar]

Just free everybody and close the place down.. turn it into a church or community center... 🙏🏾

[@Quan-ls3ku]

An where they supposed to go ? Your house lol

[@therealsaezar]

@@Quan-ls3ku they are all gone become doctors and lawyers

[@sirpoopyhead872]

@@therealsaezar most of those people aren't even high school graduated what makes you think they'll now be functional members of society and not do any bad shit?

[@therealsaezar]

@@sirpoopyhead872 I was being sarcastic lmao

[@justinh5076]

You don't wind up in Rikers unless you're a violent criminal

[@elitegotenks2204]

Not necessarily

[@janeli4616]

that's not true at all. you can go to rikers awaiting trail for something as simple as allegedly stealing a backpack. Look up kalief browder.

[@sirpoopyhead872]

@Joe Curry couldn't agree more

[@pacifist1360]

Kalief Browder didn't do anything wrong and yet he ended up spending three years at Rikers Island for a crime he didn't commit. He later committed suicide and was far from being "a violent criminal" - he was an honors student.

[@amateur-madman3047]

Not true. Just an ignorant comment from someone who wants to see suffering for anyone with the american label of “criminal”. Still human. But all you see is a word and the worst moment of their lives.

[@aidankateri]

I'm sure Eric Adams will do better once he becomes the Mayor of NYC.

[@iammiller2791]

That's a joke 🤣

[@angusrosie1]

WELL THAT SURE DID COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU NOW DIDNT IT ERIC ADAMS DOES NOTHING UNLESS IT INVOLVES GETTING HIS PICTURE TAKEN HE MAY EVEN BE WORSE THAN THE LAST MAYOR WAS

[@elenebarnhill4321]

Lovely E. It's a dangerous hell hole no one can manage. So close it down

[@girl38rockify]

Instead of providing Rikers w enough staff n fix it there being ignorant change your vote.

[@ekop1778]

DONT EXPECTED TO BE LIKED AT RIKES NO ONE EVER DOES! EVEN THE GUARDS!

[@thedevildidbreannaeasterwo9936]

😍 i love this

[@elitegotenks2204]

Wtf wrong with you😂🤣

[@milanrobinson1995]

Might be her complexion😒🙄

[@JessicaLopez-ib9wf]

What is love about it ?

[@barton87thebaconback20]

Man I sorry but IL I heard is, we have the inmates working morning noon and night. There still slaves right infront of us and yall act like u don't see it everyday but when a cop kills a obviously guilty ass dude u want to fight for him a burn shxt down. Yall should be ashamed of ur damn selfs