A review of jail data has exposed a deeply concerning lack of resolution for inmate complaints on Rikers Island, with fewer than one in five grievances finding any formal resolution over the past four years. Startling claims of sexual assault have been among the complaints, further highlighting the systemic issue of abuse within the facility. The City Council’s Committee on Criminal Justice held a hearing on Wednesday, during which Department of Correction (DOC) officials faced intense scrutiny over the agency’s abysmal track record in addressing inmate grievances.
According to an analysis conducted by the committee, less than 15% of complaints filed by inmates or third parties through the DOC have resulted in a formal resolution. The data also revealed a significant increase in the number of complaints filed per 100 individuals in DOC custody since 2020. The rise in grievances has been particularly notable among the population housed in mental health observation units, indicating a pressing need for systemic change.
The range of complaints spans various issues, including inadequate access to medical care, substandard food, limited commissary options, and sexual abuse. These revelations come on the heels of a disturbing report by Gothamist, which detailed a system of sexual abuse primarily targeting female inmates by healthcare workers and other employees on Rikers Island. The report highlighted 719 lawsuits filed under the Adult Survivors Act, with plaintiffs seeking over $14.7 billion in damages. Instances of sexual assault during routine medical examinations were also uncovered, with 32 lawsuits alleging such abuse between 1986 and 2018, primarily during the period when Corizon Health, a private contractor, provided medical care to Rikers inmates.
During the hearing, DOC officials acknowledged the need for reevaluating their process and emphasized a “zero tolerance” policy for sexual assault. Michelle Stafford, the executive director of DOC’s Office of Constituent and Grievance Services, testified that they are actively reviewing the process to ensure a swift response for individuals in custody. However, concerns were raised about the intimidating nature of the investigation process, particularly for inmates reporting serious complaints. The lack of regular access to phones further limits their ability to report accusations, and even when they manage to do so, the complaints often fail to reach the formal grievance process.
Natalie Fiorenzo, a corrections specialist at New York County Defender Services, criticized the DOC’s lack of a tracking process for complaints, with communication often being informal and unwritten. Inmates making complaints are left in the dark, unaware of the progress or resolution of their grievances. Instances were cited where serious complaints, such as a brutal beating witnessed by a jail officer, were dismissed due to technicalities or simply ignored.