Mamdani watches World Cup with inmates at Rikers Island
Officials said the jail has hosted roughly 90 World Cup watch parties since the tournament began, with about 4,500 of the facility’s approximately 6,600 inmates participating. “They are New Yorkers, and they will be New Yorkers when they get out of Rikers.”Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards, himself a former Rikers inmate, defended the viewing events as a way to improve safety outside the jail.“Programs like this equal safety in our jail,” Richards said. “What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard, and valued.”AdvertisementThe visit comes amid Mamdani’s push to close the prison, which he has made one of his signature criminal justice priorities.
- ▪Officials said the jail has hosted roughly 90 World Cup watch parties since the tournament began, with about 4,500 of the facility’s approximately 6,600 inmates participating.
- ▪“They are New Yorkers, and they will be New Yorkers when they get out of Rikers.”Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards, himself a former Rikers inmate, defended the viewing events as a way to improve safety outside the jail.“Programs lik
- ▪“What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard, and valued.”AdvertisementThe visit comes amid Mamdani’s push to close the prison, which he has made one of his signature criminal justice priorities.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined more than 100 inmates at Rikers Island on Wednesday to watch the World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, chatting with inmates in the city’s troubled jail complex.The watch party was held inside Rikers’ gymnasium, where inmates gathered around a large projection screen after earning the privilege through good behavior, according to the city’s Department of Correction. Officials said the jail has hosted roughly 90 World Cup watch parties since the tournament began, with about 4,500 of the facility’s approximately 6,600 inmates participating.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Washington Examiner.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Washington Examiner
