The reporting of the deaths of inmates in New York City jails has stopped abruptly and according to the Department of Corrections will not be resumed. The decision has left advocacy groups and the families of inmates incensed as the news comes amidst a federal monitor criticizing the management of the city's jail system including Rikers Island.
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: VIEW press / Getty For years calls for the closing of New York City’s infamous Rikers Island prison have been deafening, but apparently plans for such action probably won’t go into motion as officials expect the island to get many more inmates in the coming years. According to the Gothamist, Rikers Island currently houses 5,940 prison inmates and according to Commissioner Louis Molina that number is expected to blow up to 7,000 within two years. Why that matters: in order for Rikers Island to close up shop, the jail has to have less than 3,300 prisoners behind bars to justify its closing and that number doesn’t look attainable by a long shot. Related Stories “In 2027, we will not be at 3,300,” Molina said during a City Council hearing Tuesday focused on p...