Call 212-577-3300

News Archive for "Rikers Island"

Showing -9 — -11 of 122.

LAS Condemns DOC Staff for Failing to Wear Masks, Practice Social Distancing

Legal Aid Attorneys who have participated in videoconferences and in-person legal visits to Department of Correction facilities describe a persistent failure to follow COVID-19 protocols, according to the Queens Daily Eagle.

LAS Decries Senseless Jailing Over Parole Violations

Draconian policy sends New Yorkers back to COVID-19 filled facilities on non-criminal matters, reports THE CITY.

LAS Announces Agreement Addressing City’s Non-Compliance Issues with Rikers Island Consent Judgment

The agreement requires the DOC to make systemic changes in supervisory structure and accountability, investigating misconduct, and disciplinary proceedings, according to the New York Daily News.

LAS Decries Incarceration of New Yorkers for Technical Parole Violations During Pandemic

Advocates point to a broken parole system as more are jailed for minor parole transgressions, reports The New York Times.

LAS Working to Free Clients with Help From COVID-19 Whistleblower

Riker's Island social worker detailed incompetence and indifference in a revelatory affidavit, reports the Huffington Post.

Independent Federal Monitor Report on Abuse in NYC Jails Shows Dismal Progress

"The ninth report from the Nunez Monitor exposes the grim reality that the leadership of the New York City jails is unwilling or unable to supervise and curb brutality by uniformed corrections staff,” The Legal Aid Society tells THE CITY.

LAS Fights for Release of Vulnerable New Yorkers Detained at Rikers for Minor Crimes

The plight of petty offenders kept from release by parole violations and $1 bail are highlighted in a new report by THE CITY.

Parole Revocation Defense Unit’s Laura Eraso Featured on NYT’s The Daily Podcast

Eraso appeared with her client Mitchell Pomerance, who suffers from a litany of health problems and is currently detained at Rikers Island.

LAS’ COVID-19 Infection Rate Tracker Featured on MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow Show

In March, Legal Aid began tracking and publishing regular updates on the spread of COVID-19 on Rikers Island and other NYC jails. Our analyses compare the rate of infection on Rikers Island to other communities hard-hit by the virus.

LAS Demands Release of Incarcerated New Yorkers After Death of Second Client

Walter Ance, who was 63 years old, passed away Saturday from COVID-19 while in custody of the New York City Department of Correction, according to THE CITY.