PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ricky Ford, Policy Associate at Katal Center for Health Equity And Justice
3:31:33
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3 min
Ricky Ford from the Katal Center for Health Equity And Justice testified about the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island jail complex, calling for its immediate closure and the appointment of a federal receiver to improve conditions and save lives. The testimony highlighted the violence, deaths, medical neglect, and dysfunction at Rikers under Mayor Adams' administration.
- Supported bills focused on increasing transparency and accountability at Rikers
- Called for the City Council to pass Resolution 183 for the appointment of a federal receiver
- Mentioned recent federal court developments regarding potential receivership for Rikers
Ricky Ford
3:31:33
Do I have to oh, so thank you chair setting us for holding today, commenio criminal justice.
3:31:39
My name is Ricky Ford, and I'm the policy associate here at the Control Center for Health Equity And Justice based in Brooklyn.
3:31:46
Our members our members are come from across the city and include people who have been incarcerated Family members are currently and formally incarcerated people and more.
3:31:55
Many of our members know exactly how horrific records really is, and they're deeply concerned by the ongoing disasters unfolding in the city jail system.
3:32:05
We submit this testimony today to bring to your attention to crisis outbreakers, and the need to immediately shut at the notorious and deadly jail complex.
3:32:13
Violence outbreak is out of control.
3:32:16
At least thirty three people have died in the city jail system since Adams became mayor in 2022.
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The 2 most recent deaths occurred due to the gross discard from correctional offices and medical neglect, and incarcerated people are missing thousands of medical appointments every month.
3:32:34
And their reports of widespread sexual abuse.
3:32:37
Under Adams, even the most basic aspects of operations outright has had further unraveled into disarray.
3:32:44
We support the bills today focus on increasing transparency and accountability of strikers.
3:32:50
However, it's clear that the only solution is to shut down strikers once and for all.
3:32:55
The most recent reports issued by the federal monitor for strikers in June found that the jails remain dangerous and unsafe categorized by our persuasive, immediate risk of harm to both people and custody and staff.
3:33:10
Given the ongoing crisis, more drastic measures are needed to address the longstanding issues played in the jail system.
3:33:16
Until Rykers is closed.
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We're calling the federal records to immediately appoint independent receiver to improve conditions and save lives.
3:33:24
A federal receiver can cut through the red tape and political obstacles that contribute to the ongoing cycles of chaos at Rykers and improved conditions for people incarcerated and employed there.
3:33:36
On Wednesday, due to the ongoing disaster at Rykers, federal court judge judge Laura Taylor Swain ordered the Department of Corrections, the US attorney office, and the legal aid society to meet and confer about the structures of a potential federal receivership by Rykers.
3:33:51
The judge cited how for 9 years under the constant degree the city has promised to improve conditions inside the jail systems only cons only to cons consistently backslowed.
3:34:04
With the administration now involved in medical and multiple federal investigations and move on to spiking and regaining ranging dysfunction at rikers.
3:34:14
The federal courts are moving closer and taking over the jail complex.
3:34:17
To help improve conditions and save lives, the city council should swiftly pass Resolution 183 which calls for the appointment of federal receiver.
3:34:25
Cottola of the community organizations have worked for years to shut down records and home items accountable while the main in action while the main action by the city, state, and federal government to save lives.
3:34:36
Thank you.
3:34:37
And I also just wanted to thank the family members of Delosay loved ones and reconciling as well for speaking.
