A federal takeover of Rikers Island jails is long overdue - and shouldn't be delayed
Briefly

Federal Judge Laura Swain has authorized the appointment of a federal receiver to reform the dangerously unsafe conditions at Rikers Island. Despite acknowledging the deep-rooted nature of the problems, the planned receivership risks continuing dysfunction due to vested interests. The receiver will have wide-ranging authority over the jail's operations and is expected to implement a turnaround plan within three years. Judge Swain criticized previous oversight efforts as inadequate, asserting the need for transformative changes that might involve bypassing traditional management structures and collective bargaining processes.
The conditions at Rikers Island have been deemed 'dangerous and unsafe' by federal Judge Laura Swain, prompting the need for an independent manager to oversee the city's jail system.
Judge Laura Swain emphasized the urgent need for radical changes at Rikers Island, expressing that previous oversight efforts were insufficient and calling for a comprehensive turnaround plan in three years.
Corruption and mismanagement have plagued Rikers Island for decades, with violence and tragic incidents like overdoses and suicides highlighting the urgent necessity for serious reform.
The effective functioning of the receiver's role seems contingent on bypassing union influence and reshaping management practices, given previous failures of oversight by the federal monitor.
Read at New York Post
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