Your Point: Former Rikers Island inmates say a lot needs to change

We spoke with two men who have spent time on Rikers Island and say there are plenty of things that need attention.

[@chriszenko3598]

Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time

[@ABSG7]

Stay out of jail. Problem solved.

[@ES-bf2dx]

Your apart of the problem and ignorance is bliss

[@johnwhite6981]

They can never figure that out

[@jahiemr5955]

People are there who didn't even do anything🤡 The jail is just poorly run and corrupt. Stop blaming inmates. These people have a job to do. That's like a nurse or doctor telling to stay out of the hospital if you get shot. It wouldn't happen

[@ES-bf2dx]

@@jahiemr5955 thank you ….you get it

[@AlphaQHard]

@@jahiemr5955 Are you really comparing committing a crime and suffering the consequences to people being in an accident and needing medical attention? 💀💀💀 You put your shoe size IQ on display, good job.

[@CHICHI816]

Hearing a black man suggesting how to make jail more comfortable for them is classic

[@OVERHERE-OVERHERE]

Don’t commit a crime no problem

[@HK-ve1wg]

It is a jail.. not a hotel suite.

[@redrigger8348]

So these criminals want the victims citizens to feel sorry for them . Rikers Island is operating just fine no changes are necessary. If it ain't broken down tinker with it.

[@joecurry382]

Just make it where everyone Black goes there

[@sweets7691]

IJS, honestly I’ve seen movies , documentaries of Jails, Prisons in other countries that are WAY worst than Rikers Island.

[@je9212]

I don't feel bad about criminals

[@Kareemburkebiggs96]

Not all people are criminal I w3nt to jail because I looked like someone spent 6 months until they realized I was the wrong person. Yes I got a lawsuit.but imagine never ever breaking the law know nothing about the streets get cuffs on you and sent to prison. For 6 months I thought I was dreaming because my life and what I was goin through couldn't be real. You would say F me to because ypu see me in there but not know my story. What if what happened to me happened to you should we say F u to??

[@omt4293]

Here’s an idea. Don’t get yourself into prison!

[@elijahjernigan7538]

It's a jail not a prison, people who have violations and people who commit heinous crimes are put together before they get to see a judge.

[@succesbryant3604]

There's innocent people there also, never forget that yall

[@dai8600]

Jail you dumb piece of shit

[@devious100dd]

“I’ve been to a lot of different jails, but Rikers is the worst.” Well, it’s good that they provide the opinion of an experienced criminal that can give us his insight of the various prisons he has been to. 🤡

[@johnwhite6981]

Here in DC they have opinions about how to stop gun violence that is how ridiculous these criminals have become

[@ES-bf2dx]

@@johnwhite6981 so ppl aren’t allowed to change u don’t know why they are criminals all crimes aren’t violent

[@johnwhite6981]

@@ES-bf2dx really criminals will not say if they will never commit a crime again and their are no changed men

[@ES-bf2dx]

@@johnwhite6981 🤦🏽‍♂️damm u another one of ignorant ones I see open yah mind but I don’t even wanna continue with u…you don’t even know the difference between their there they’re 😂

[@johnwhite6981]

@@ES-bf2dx it's Twitter I don't care

[@henrey3759]

What about the inmates who slash their fellow inmates‽ Rob and extort each other.

[@b.1162]

As a former CO at a max sec prison, I have to agree with them. You have a job you get paid to do. That job is, essentially, to keep them alive. Denying their medical needs is not doing your job. At Rikers, many of them haven't even been to trial yet. So for 18 people to die there so far this year, it's pretty inexcusable.

[@deist921]

For all you ppl that say don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time, you all sound ignorant. Most ppl on Rikers have not been convicted of a crime. This story is about the inhuman conditions at Rikers.

[@zoomanx9661]

Not for nothing, but if I had those conditions the first person had, I wouldn’t be out doing crime. I wouldn’t be in any kind of shape to do crime.

[@edwardprice140]

Maybe if the guests didn't have drugs and weapons then the guards could take care of your personal needs. Or, just don't go.

[@J2DATVat50]

Rikers Island is purgatory on Earth like an east coast Alcatraz!

[@michaeljohanson9504]

GREAT!

[@karmellasmith9150]

Good🎉

[@AlphaQHard]

Its not meant to be fun

[@Yomamahouse6996]

Yes they need a butler and a shoe cleaner in there

[@WERNUTZ]

Most prisoners ARE GUILTY of crimes. (A Dude in prison for robbery most likely did rob). Rikers need STAFF REFORM, Facilities Needs Updating. Closing RIKERS will just keep CAREER VIOLENT CRIMES on NYC Streets.

[@lickalotlickalot2210]

Exactly! Most if not all prisoners were guilty! People don't get arrested for no reason. As for those folks who insisted that they were innocent until proven... a small number would not be proven guilty but only technically so... like the witness failed to show up! Don't mean arresting them were mistakes. And most of them do act like criminals that they are while in jails waiting trials!

[@tiyalewhitehurst338]

Here is an idea STAY OUTTA JAIL NO JAIL LOOKS LIKE PARADISE

[@joecurry382]

What needs to change the most about Rikers is that all the people that are the race of the individuals who are convicted of a terrible crime should never be allowed in America again

[@deenegron6328]

Rehabilitation does not pay "their" bills for their fancy yachts, recidivism does...

[@pisces5843]

C/O have a job should do they jobs. Someone incarcerated shouldn’t be treated unfairly.

[@theallnightr]

How is the first guy commenting on a jail like a Yelp review?

[@argenisj1975]

We got more important things to worry about

[@lorayj115]

The Anichrist Is on Earth, Nobody Cares About Nobody Today 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️😢🙏🙏🙏

[@tabbazzseaye7549]

Bring in the FEDS.

[@angm9699]

⁠too many people like to run with the narrative of it’s deserved. For starters, who’s anyone to judge? Secondly, we can be specific and technical about the circumstances, still doesn’t mean there aren’t thousands of inmates on that island who are being treated unjust and left to deal with inhumane conditions. Prison/Jail should be a place to reform! Rehabilitate! Not disable and destroy the very thing that can make anyone continue to pursue a life of lawfulness and of good. Especially RIKERS! SHUT IT DOWN!

[@britashli]

How is anyone surprised by these men’s experiences? Look at what Rikers did to Kalief Browder!! It’s the absolute worst jail in NYC!

[@jdolo4670]

Dont go to jail!!!

[@dai8600]

@@jdolo4670 kailef was falsely accused of a crime he did not commit it has been proven .Also he took his own like because the fear of going back to that jail.Not every thing is black and white there gray in the middle you B I T C H

[@sandraparker9103]

Saw a video of him when he was younger

[@Supreme896]

I have no idea provceeds to smile

[@Triple10101]

Brotha man jail is not a nice place it's not a vacation!!!!

[@ftenzer]

Find out what causes people to commit crimes in the first place and get rid of all of the problems that cause people to commit crimes in the first place without causing or allowing new problems to be created in the first place!

[@ciebelreilly4906]

❤️💜🤎💙🖤🤍

[@freezerbbq-barnes2361]

O💩 I was wondering where Trech from Naughty by Nature was

[@chrisstewart8954]

No sum people make mistakes for the first time like trying drugs and get caught i think its unfair for them to be with killers rapest ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️