How to End the Crises on Rikers Island: a virtual forum

A virtual forum on How to End the Crises on Rikers Island. For seven years, a federal judge and monitor have tried to implement the terms of a consent decree intended to address unconstitutional levels of violence. Since then, violence has skyrocketed. In March, the monitor issued a report questioning whether the DOC had either the capacity or the will to improve conditions.

Ahead of the November court conference where the City’s progress will be assessed, this event will examine the central issues causing the jails' dysfunction and what power is required to adequately address these issues, followed by a discussion of how data can help identify whether conditions are improving or deteriorating.

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Opening remarks by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.

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PANEL 1: What is causing the dysfunction at Rikers and who can solve it?

Errol Louis, Host, Inside City Hall (moderator)

Michael Jacobson, former Commissioner, NYC Departments of Correction and Probation

Robert Linn, former Commissioner of the NYC Office of Labor Relations

Darren Mack, Co-Director, Freedom Agenda

Sarena Townsend, former Deputy Commissioner of the Intelligence, Investigation & Trials Division at NYC Department of Correction

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PANEL 2: How can data help improve conditions and hold the city accountable?

Matt Katz, WNYC News (moderator)

Martha King, former executive director at NYC Board of Correction

Freya Rigterink, Member, NYC Board of Correction

David Rankin, partner at Beldock Levine & Hoffman, LLP

Gipsy Escobar, Measures for Justice

Liz Glazer, Vital City; former Director, Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice

Vincent Schiraldi, Columbia Justice Lab/School of Social Work; former Commissioner, NYC Departments of Correction and Probation

This forum is co-hosted by Columbia Justice Lab, Vital City, Columbia Law School, Columbia School of Social Work, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance, Campaign Zero