Williams called for an independent probe into hundreds of allegations of sexual assault in city jails
New York City's public advocate is pressing the mayor to investigate allegations of sexual abuse on Rikers Island.“This is, I hope everyone agrees, unacceptable, unconscionable, and the city must take swift action to ensure that nobody experiences sexual harassment or assault or rape in our jails,” he told the board, which oversees the city’s jail system.
Williams said Mayor Eric Adams has a moral and legal obligation to look into these complaints, noting the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act requires quick action when officials receive reports of sexual abuse behind bars. He also said the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is supposed to protect people in jail from “cruel and unusual punishment.”
“The administration's lack of urgency in addressing this or any other problem impacting incarcerated New Yorkers is deeply concerning,” Williams said. “We must continue speaking loudly about the culture of abuse on Rikers and not allow the mayor and to sweep this under the rug.”” into the lawsuits after Gothamist published its first story in March.
For months, Gothamist has been reporting on 719 lawsuits filed by former detainees who said they were sexually abused while incarcerated on Rikers. After reviewing each lawsuit and speaking with plaintiffs, reporters identified patterns of allegations that appeared in various complaints. More than 300 lawsuits alleged officers traded contraband like perfume and drugs for sex, about 70 described officers watching or assaulting detainees in the shower, and more than 30Samantha reports on whether New Yorkers feel safe and whether the institutions that are supposed to protect them are working. Before coming to WNYC/Gothamist, she spent three years covering the criminal justice system in Tennessee for Nashville Public Radio.
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