51�Թ���

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 14: Andre Ward, Associate Vice President of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy says “No progress has been made on Rikers Island” as formerly incarcerated advocates, impacted families, and local elected officials rally outside Manhattan's City Hall for a press conference demanding the permanent closure of the Rikers Island jail complex after the death of inmate Elijah Muhammad on July 14, 2022 in New York City. Elijah Muhammad, 31, died of a suspected drug overdose at the George R. Vierno Center (GRVC), making him the tenth inmate to die in New York City Department of Correction (DOC) custody in 2022. The family of Elijah Muhammad and allies call on NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul to back plans to permanently close Rikers. Advocates demand an end to solitary confinement and are pushing for the legislation Int 0549-2022 banning solitary confinement in city jails. Despite the DOC’s large workforce and large budget, the Rikers Island jail complex remains in deplorable conditions after decades of neglect, advocates argue. They also call on New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to call for de-incarceration, thereby reducing the inmate population and demanding the release of low-level offenders and the elderly and immunocompromised people. Advocates have complained of inhumane conditions at Rikers Island for decades and argue that deaths will continue to mount unless people are de-incarcerated and/or the prison is permanently closed. Among the participating organization were: Freedom Agenda @FreedomAgendaNY, #Halt Solitary and NYC Jails Action Coalition (JAC). (Footage by Tomas Abad/Getty Images)