Rikers Island has a storied history, evolving from a refuse dump into a prison infamous for its overcrowded conditions, neglect, and violence. While efforts were once made to rebrand the island as a place of rehabilitation—with inmates engaging in farming and skills training—the reality deteriorated due to rising inmate populations and systemic issues. By the mid-20th century, Rikers settled into a troubling norm, filled with stories of brutality and corruption, reflecting a deeper crisis within New York City's criminal justice system.
From humble beginnings as a trash site, Rikers Island morphed into a notorious jail, becoming emblematic of overcrowding, neglect, and violence in the penal system.
Despite initial hopes for rehabilitation with farming and skills training, Rikers Island has devolved into a crisis characterized by brutality, overcrowding, and high staff turnover.
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