WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York Ctiy NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - Rikers detainees not given proper linens and clothing, community board rejects casino fast-track, F train derails

 

Dear New Yorkers,

When detainees first come into a housing unit in city jail, they are legally entitled to two sheets, one pillow case, one mattress, one mattress cover and sufficient blankets.

Each person also gets three uniforms, three undergarments and three pairs of socks.

According to Board of Correction (BOC) regulations, the sheets and pillowcases must be cleaned at least once a week, blankets once every three months and mattresses every six months.

This doesn’t always happen, according to multiple grievances. The BOC received 59 complaints about “bedding” problems from Nov. 1 to Dec. 26, 2023, said board executive director Jasmine Georges-Yilla during the agency’s monthly meeting in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday.

Several Rikers Island detainees also say that they didn’t receive basic items like mattresses, bed sheets and warm clothing like sweatshirts and thermal underwear as required when they first arrived.

Advocates for people behind bars said that the lack of clean linen and proper clothing was just one more example of the Department of Correction’s inability to follow basic rules and offer rudimentary care in city jails.

The BOC oversight hearing comes as a federal judge is in the midst of deciding whether the department should be taken over by a third party known as a receiver.

Read more about the grievances — and the looming potential federal takeover of Rikers — here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Thursday's Weather Rating: 6/10. A lot of sunshine and much warmer than the past few days, with high temps approaching 50° F and much calmer winds. Honestly, for the middle of winter, this is not bad at all. The vibes are decent out there today!

Our Other Top Stories

Opposition is mounting against a city-backed measure that would allow planned casinos to bypass the local land-use review process — a move Mayor Eric Adams’ administration argues is crucial for the gaming facilities to have a chance of obtaining state approval. Last night, Manhattan Community Board 6 passed a near-unanimous resolution opposing a proposal to bypass the land-use review procedure for casinos. The board, which represents Midtown East, has one casino proposal in the area. The bidders are among a host of contenders for just three casino licenses that the state intends to grant in New York City or its suburbs. An F train carrying 37 people skipped the tracks and derailed in Coney Island yesterday, marking the third subway derailment in 22 days. A “track issue” was cited by an official as a possible factor in the derailment. It came just days after a pair of trains collided last Thursday at 96th Street along the No. 1 line in Manhattan; according to the MTA, most derailments take place in yards or involve work trains. Andrew Albert, an MTA board member and chair of the New York City Transit Riders Council, cited the overall safety record of the subway system — even while conceding “it’s not a great look” to have three derailments inside of a month.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Thursday, Jan. 11: New York on Film: “Do the Right Thing,” a 35th anniversary screening of the classic Spike Lee film with an introduction by film scholar Racquel Gates. Tickets are $20 ($15 for Museum of the City of New York members). The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. Friday, Jan. 12: The first day of expanded Free Fridays at the Whitney Museum, which is now open for free admission from 5 to 10 p.m. every Friday. Saturday, Jan. 13: Birding with NYC Audubon. Free (RSVP encouraged) from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at both Prospect Park in Brooklyn and at Brookville Park in Queens.

THE KICKER: The Central Park Conservancy announced yesterday that the historic Bow Bridge, which was getting its wooden decking replaced, is open to the public once again.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Thursday.

Love,

THE CITY

PS. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom runs on support from readers like you. Donate here.

THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor of THE CITY? Contact us here.  Copyright © 2023 THE CITY, All rights reserved.