PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Yonah Zeitz, Advocacy Director of Katal Center for Equity Health and Justice
4:02:38
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3 min
Yonah Zeitz, representing the Katal Center for Equity Health and Justice, testified about the urgent need to address the crisis at Rikers Island jail complex, particularly focusing on the issues of sexual abuse and violence. He criticized the current administration's handling of the situation and called for the immediate closure of Rikers.
- Highlighted the decrease in substantiated cases of sexual abuse to 3.4% under the current administration, which is below the national average of 6%
- Mentioned that at least 33 people have died in NYC jails under the current administration
- Called for federal court intervention and the appointment of an independent receiver to improve conditions and save lives at Rikers
Yonah Zeitz
4:02:38
Thank you, chair nurse, for holding today's important committee hearing on preventing and addressing sexual assault and harassment in New York City jails.
4:02:46
My name is Yona Zites, and I'm the advocacy director at the Guitar Center for Equity Health And Justice.
4:02:51
And our members are from all across the city, and they include people that have been incarcerated rikers, family members, people that are currently informally incarcerated rikers.
4:03:00
And I think they all know too well how horrific rikers really is, and have experienced the harms, many of that were mentioned today throughout the hearing, and are deeply concerned about the ongoing disaster unfolding in our city's jail system.
4:03:13
And so we submit this testimony to bring your attention to the crisis the Rykers, and the need to immediately shutter the notorious in dead deadly jail complex.
4:03:24
You know, New Yorkers across the city are deeply concerned with what's happening at Rykers.
4:03:28
And since mayor Adams took office, the overlapping crises and scan handles and wipers and throughout his entire administration have only worsened.
4:03:37
And today's hearing is is a great example of that.
4:03:40
The administration has stymied the process of investigating sexual use cases with more than 45% of them going beyond the legal mandate.
4:03:49
The number of substantiated cases of sexual abuse decreased under this administration to 3.4% last year, so it's even below the 5% of the the previous speech speaker just named.
4:04:00
And 5% is abysmal than 3.4% is even worse, and it's about half the national average, which is about 6% for substantiated claims of sexual abuse and correctional facilities.
4:04:11
So this is absolutely unacceptable.
4:04:13
You know, we've been horrible at this at a city, and it's only gun and worse under this current administration.
4:04:19
And along with, you know, the rampant sexual abuse at Rykers, violence is also out of control.
4:04:24
At least thirty three people have died in sea jails under this administration.
4:04:29
And it's been clear that under this mayor, even most basic aspects of operations at Rykers have further unraveled into disarray, and avenues of accountability had been removed.
4:04:41
And so we support the bills today, focused on increasing transparency, safeguards, and accountability at Rykers.
4:04:48
Prevent sexual abuse and to end the culture of impunity in the DNC.
4:04:52
However, it's clear that the only solution is to shut down rioters once and for all, and that has to be at the forefront of all city policy.
4:05:01
And given the ongoing crises More drastic measures are needed to address the longstanding issues plaguing the jail system to prevent further abuse, harm, and death to people currently incarcerated there.
4:05:13
And that's why it's alright because it's closed.
4:05:15
We're calling for the federal courts to immediately intervene and appoint an independent receiver to improve conditions and safe lives.
4:05:23
It's abundantly clear, and I think the testimony from the DOC made it even more clear that this administration and department is both unwilling and unable to address the deep seated issues plaguing the jail system.
4:05:36
And so there needs to be more drastic steps that are taken because it's clear that they're not willing to do it.
4:05:42
And so thank you for the time and appreciate this hearing today.
