The Rikers Hunger Strike Continues

As the Adams administration inherits crisis conditions at Rikers, those detained at one of the island's jail facilities refused dozens of meals during the past week in protest of their living conditions. They claim unnecessary covid isolation, freezing temperatures and denied access to mail, legal services and healthcare. This as criminal justice reformers question the influence of jails unions on the mayor and Department of Correction commissioner as many of the complaints are rooted in staffing shortages. 

Stan Germán, executive director of New York County Defender Services explains what defense lawyers are doing for their clients held at Rikers as some call in and WNYC reporter Matt Katz shares the the latest on the hunger strike and the change in leadership at city jails.