De Blasio Unveils Plan to Curb Violence at Rikers

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday unveiled additional details of his plan to curb violence at the problem-plagued Rikers Island after touring a highly restrictive housing unit for troublesome inmates.

Speaking in a recently renovated area that houses the 7 percent of inmates officials say drive most violence in the 11,000-inmate jail system, de Blasio touted reforms that include installing cameras, restricting inmate visits and beefing up screenings.

“It’s about launching a new era here on this island where violence will decrease steadily,” he said.

Just hours before the mayor’s visit, reporters witnessed a correction officer wheeled out of Rikers and put into an ambulance. Minutes later, an inmate, covering his eyes because he had been pepper sprayed, was escorted by another correction officer.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the March 13th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.