Bringing Back Nonprofits to Rikers: A New Chapter for Rehabilitation and Support

Rikers Island Program Cuts: A System in Crisis

Rikers Island, new York CityS main jail complex, faces a deepening crisis following significant cuts to vital detainee programs. What was initially touted as a cost-saving measure by the Adams administration in May 2023 has devolved into a critical service gap, leaving thousands without essential support and raising serious questions about the city’s commitment to rehabilitation. The situation underscores the delicate balance between fiscal duty and the well-being of incarcerated individuals, particularly in the context of ongoing staffing shortages and operational challenges.

The Empty Promise of In-House Programs

The initial plan involved saving $17 million by ending contracts with five nonprofits providing programs focused on substance abuse recovery, housing assistance, and job skills training. The Department of Correction (DOC) assured the City Council that correction officers and civilian staff woudl seamlessly take over these responsibilities. Francis Torres, then DOC’s deputy commissioner, testified, “We are developing a transitional plan, to make sure the 69 counselors are actually in place to assume the new responsibilities.”

However, this transition never fully materialized. according to Nell McCarty, the current deputy commissioner, “Jail officials have never been able to fully fill those roles and there are currently 32 vacancies.” the consequences have been stark. The Mayor’s Management Report indicates a significant reduction in services, with 4,100 fewer group “facilitation sessions” and a 3,460 drop in one-on-one sessions during the first four months of fiscal year 2024 compared to the prior year. This drastic reduction in programming raises concerns about the city’s ability to meet the basic needs and legal requirements for detainees.

Legal mandates and Lived Realities

The city’s Administrative Code mandates that the correction commissioner “shall offer to all individuals incarcerated for more than 10 days a minimum of five hours per day of individual programming or education, excluding weekends and holidays.” However, detainees and advocates claim this standard is rarely met.

Councilmember Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), chair of the Council’s Committee on Criminal justice, voiced her concerns, stating, “I’m concerned the DOC is not meeting the minimum hours of programming due to DOC choosing to run programs in-house while they’re showing high vacancy staffing rates.” This raises critical questions about accountability and the city’s commitment to providing adequate support for detainees during their incarceration. Independent assessments from organizations like the Vera Institute of Justice have consistently highlighted the importance of robust programming in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry into society Vera Institute of Justice.

A Glimmer of Hope and Lingering Challenges

Despite the initial setbacks,there are signs of potential betterment. McCarty testified, “What I would like to highlight, though, is that what we have seen in the first quarter of fiscal year 25 is a 44% increase of group programming compared to last year at the same time…And so what that says to me is that we are starting to stabilize our services.”

Further underscoring a potential shift in approach, the DOC announced in January that it was seeking outside providers to run programs for detainees, earmarking $13 million for four contracts.These new deals “are not a replacement of the prior contracts,” McCarty clarified, “they’re covering different topics, and this was gathered through focus groups and surveys with people in custody to identify what services they were seeking additional support with.” The requests-for-proposals (RFPs) cover Substance Misuse, Trauma informed Care Services, Supplemental Education, and Transition Planning and Transportation.

Tanya Krupat, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Osborne Association, one of the nonprofits cut in 2023, conveyed their eagerness to return: “Osborne is beyond eager to return to Rikers providing the level of extensive programming we offered for years to individuals detained there.” This renewed interest from experienced providers underscores the potential for impactful change if the DOC can effectively manage these contracts and ensure consistent program delivery.

First-hand experience

One Rikers detainee, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “hell no!” when asked if they were getting the amount of mandatory time. They stated, “I typically receive an hour of group counseling and another for art therapy several days each week inside my housing unit in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, he said, spending most of his timeas a suicide prevention aid watching high-risk detainees with mental health diagnosis.”

Systemic Staffing Issues and Overtime Reliance

Beyond programming challenges, Rikers Island also grapples with significant staffing shortages. Commissioner Maginley-Liddie told the Council that the DOC has approximately 1,100 uniformed openings. The DOC currently employs 6,000 uniformed officers, a 20% drop from January 2022. Furthermore, a significant number of officers are nearing retirement age, exacerbating the issue.”Recruitment and retention of law enforcement staff has been a challenge nationally, and the reality is that the department’s recruitment classes are not keeping up with levels of attrition,” she stated.

These shortages led to an over-reliance on overtime, which Steve Martin, a court-appointed monitor, highlighted in a November 2023 report: “Facilities attempt to work around endemic staff shortages by using overtime, but too often, sufficient staff resources are not available to deliver mandated services, leading to high levels of stress, frustration, and violence among people in custody.” The staffing crisis not only impacts the safety and security of the facility but also undermines the effectiveness of any rehabilitative programs intended to support detainees.

ICE and Conflict of Interst

Commissioner Maginley-Liddie told the Council she has spoken to people in City Hall about Mayor Eric Adams plan to sign an executive order to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate on Rikers Island, as had until a decade ago when a “sanctuary city” law forbade cooperation.

“We’ve had conversations but I’ve not seen an executive order,” she said, noting it would be handled by the city’s Law Department.

Councilmember Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) asked, “Has there been a conversation about whether the mayor faces a conflict of interest in his ability to legally sign this executive order?” Jail officials neither confirmed nor denied.

A Call to Action

The situation at Rikers Island demands immediate and sustained attention. The city must prioritize filling staff vacancies, ensuring adequate program funding, and fostering collaboration between the DOC and experienced nonprofit service providers. The long-term success of Rikers Island reform hinges on a commitment to providing meaningful rehabilitative opportunities for detainees, which requires both adequate resources and a systemic shift in priorities. By investing in evidence-based programs and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to recidivism, New york City can create a more just and equitable system for all. Contact your local representatives and demand action to address the crisis at Rikers Island. Advocate for increased funding for rehabilitative programs and support for the dedicated professionals working to improve the lives of those incarcerated.

What specific actions can city officials take to ensure meaningful rehabilitation efforts are prioritized within Rikers Island and other correctional facilities?

Rikers Island Program Cuts: An Interview with Reentry Advocate, Dr.Anya Sharma

Rikers Island faces a critical juncture following program cuts. To understand the impact on detainees and the path forward, we spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, Executive Director of “Second Chance Pathways,” a leading advocacy group focusing on reentry services and criminal justice reform.here’s that conversation.

Understanding the Impact of Program Cuts at Rikers

Archyde: Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us. The recent program cuts at Rikers Island have raised considerable concern. Can you elaborate on the direct consequences you’re seeing as an advocate for detainees?

Dr.Sharma: Thank you for having me. The consequences are, frankly, devastating. These programs – substance abuse recovery, housing assistance, job skills – are lifelines for individuals trying to rebuild their lives post-incarceration. Cutting these programs translates directly into increased recidivism, greater instability upon release, and a deepening cycle of disadvantage.

The City’s “Transitional Plan” and Vacancies

Archyde: The city initially claimed correction officers and civilian staff would seamlessly fill the void. However, reports indicate important staff vacancies.What’s your take on this disparity between promise and reality?

Dr. sharma: This highlights a basic lack of understanding of the specialized skills required to deliver effective rehabilitative programming. Expecting correction officers, already stretched thin, to become substance abuse counselors or job training experts is unrealistic and frankly, sets everyone up for failure. the vacancies simply amplify the negative impact, leaving detainees with little to no support.

Legal Mandates vs.Lived Experiences

Archyde: There are legal mandates requiring a minimum amount of programming for detainees. What are you hearing from individuals inside Rikers regarding these requirements being met?

Dr. Sharma: The anecdotal evidence is overwhelmingly negative. Detainees consistently report not receiving the mandated hours of programming. They often describe being left with idle time, which can exacerbate mental health issues and create a more tense and risky surroundings. This disconnect between legal mandate and lived experience underscores a critical failure of oversight and accountability within the Department of Correction.

A Glimmer of Hope: New Contracts and osborne Association’s return

Archyde: The DOC is now seeking outside providers and has earmarked funding for new contracts. The Osborne Association, one of the nonprofits initially cut, is eager to return. Do you see this as a genuine turning point?

Dr. sharma: It’s certainly a positive step, but cautious optimism is warranted. The success of these new contracts hinges on several factors: the effective management of these contracts by the DOC, ensuring consistent program delivery, and robust oversight from city officials and advocacy groups. The return of experienced providers like Osborne Association is encouraging,but we need to ensure these programs are adequately funded,staffed,and accessible to all who need them.

Staffing Shortages and Overtime Reliance

Archyde: Rikers Island is also facing significant staffing shortages and a reliance on overtime, impacting both security and program effectiveness. How critical is addressing these staffing issues to the overall success of rehabilitation efforts?

Dr. Sharma: Addressing the staffing crisis is absolutely paramount. Overworked and understaffed officers cannot effectively maintain safety and security, let alone deliver meaningful rehabilitative programming.The high levels of stress and frustration among both officers and detainees create a volatile environment that undermines any attempts at positive change. Adequate staffing levels are essential for the well-being of everyone at Rikers and for the success of any rehabilitative initiatives.

The ICE controversy

Archyde: The mayor is considering allowing ICE to operate on Rikers Island. Do you see this as a step forward or backward, considering that Rikers Island is in crisis as is with staffing shortage?

Dr. Sharma: given the documented staffing shortages and its ongoing challenges with providing basic services, allowing immigration officials to operate at Rikers is something that the mayor should vehemently reconsider. Instead the resources should go towards increasing qualified social workers and staffing, instead of spreading personnel thin.

A call to Action and Thought-Provoking Question

Archyde: What is the most crucial action needed right now to address the challenges at Rikers Island and ensure meaningful rehabilitation efforts?

Dr. Sharma: A fundamental shift in priorities is needed,and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation. We need to prioritize wraparound programs. This includes allocating adequate funding, ensuring effective management of contracts, and providing independent oversight. The long-term success of Rikers Island reform depends on a genuine commitment to providing rehabilitative opportunities for detainees, which requires both resources and a systemic shift in viewpoint.

archyde Thank you for your time Dr. Sharma!

Archyde: to our readers, how can we ensure that rehabilitation efforts are truly prioritized within our correctional facilities? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.