Deal Between New York, Feds On Jail Reforms Expected Soon
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It appears the city is moving closer to a deal to reform the jails on Rikers Island.
Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said Thursday that negotiations between the city and federal authorities over reforms at the troubled jail complex should reach "a successful conclusion'' soon.
City and federal prosecutors have been negotiating for months, and the federal government sued the city in December to speed up the pace of reforms. Early next week had been set as a date for a deal to be completed.
The New York Times first reported Thursday a deal was near. The city is agreeing to a host of changes, including the appointment of a federal monitor, according to the report. In addition, thousands of cameras will be installed and some officers will wear body cameras, the Times reported.
Deal Between New York, Feds On Jail Reforms Expected Soon
"Our goal remains to reduce violence that impacts both inmates and staff,'' said de Blasio press secretary Karen Hinton. "This agreement will be a major step towards the achievement of that vision. While details are still being worked through, we fully expect a successful conclusion to this process within a few days.''
The deal has not yet been finalized.
The Associated Press has reported on claims of widespread brutality at Rikers and the gruesome deaths of mentally ill inmates. Data showed city jail guards reported using force against inmates 4,074 times in 2014.
According to the Times, the new rules would ban most contact unless a guard is in imminent danger, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.
Federal prosecutors have made numerous recommendations. The city has taken steps such as ending solitary confinement for 16- and 17-year-old inmates.
City Correction Commissioner Joseph Ponte also is overseeing the revision of use-of-force rules.
"Commissioner Ponte has been deeply committed to an agenda of reform and we are pleased to have made so much progress institutionalizing those changes as part of this process,'' Hinton said.
The Rikers complex, in the East River, consists of 10 facilities that hold an average of nearly 11,000 inmates a day.
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