THE deadly coronavirus crisis could lead to “mass deaths” at the notorious Rikers Island prison in NYC, according to a public defender.
Brooklyn attorney Scott Hechinger took to Twitter to highlight the “unimaginably bad” conditions there, as a COVID-19 outbreak threatens 5,294 inmates.
The virus has spread within the prison
A public defender says inmates are in danger
The public defender highlighted the issues on Twitter
A Journalist previously reported that over 40 people – inmates and staff – had contracted the killer virus, which has claimed the lives of 600 Americans as of March 24.
Hechinger urged Mayor De Blasio, Governor Cuomo, and District Attorneys to “do something ASAP” to prevent “mass deaths” there.
“People trapped on Rikers right now are sleeping close enough to reach out and touch the next person,” he wrote. “[They] are being served food on dirty food trays.”
“There is one toilet for every 29 people trapped on Rikers Island right now,” Hechinger said, adding that people who want to be tested are not.
‘HORRIFYING’
The “horrifying” alleged conditions on the island are reportedly contrary to the advice from health experts, urging Americans to socially distance themselves and isolate.
Hechinger claimed food servers don’t wear masks at the facility, which briefly housed convicted rapist, Harvey Weinstein, who has since tested positive.
Weinstein had just arrived at Wende Correctional Facility from Rikers when he was diagnosed and placed in isolation.
Hechinger alleged Weinstein’s imprisoned peers at Rikers are crowded together, four people to a table, as they eat.
The news comes after repeated warnings from health experts and President Trump about social distancing.
‘FILTHY CONDITIONS’
“After one of the people in their dorm tested positive for Coronavirus and was taken out, Rikers staff did not clean the general areas,” Hechinger revealed.
“People are being housed with others with flu-like symptoms and there is no recourse.
“When people ask to be transferred to correctional health services, they are being told that there aren’t enough escorts.”
The lawyer called on De Blasio and Cuomo to let more prisoners go after at least 75 were released yesterday, with about 200 flagged for potential release, reports say.
Jail cells are seen in the Enhanced Supervision Housing Unit at the Rikers Island Correctional facility in New York
Inmates are at risk due to the crowded conditions
As Rikers flounders, jails around the country have also been releasing their low-risk, non violent detainees to flatten the curve behind bars.
“While we are taking steps to prevent COVID-19 infection in our community to stay inside, social distance, and be vigilant with sanitization, these efforts will be worthless if we don’t act rapidly to prevent infection in Rikers,” Hechinger said.
“To stem the spread of this deadly virus, we must drastically reduce the number of people in jail and limit new admissions to exceptional circumstances. And we must do so now.”
‘LIFE AND DEATH’
“This is a matter of life and death,” Hechinger said, revealing that his colleague compared the conditions at Rikers to a “slave ship”.
Hechinger cited New Jersey – where 1,000 inmates were released from jail – as a good example, urging Cuomo to grant clemency to hundreds of Rikers’ inmates.
He called on the governor to shorten the sentences of some 500+ low-level offenders and to grant parole to the 666 inmates jailed for technical parole violations.
But Hechinger said the issue is not limited to the island prison but all over the country as the pandemic rages on, putting many states on lockdown.
A Journalist has contacted De Blasio, Cuomo, and the Department of Corrections for comment.
As the NYC prison reportedly flounders, Cuomo has pleaded with the government to send more medical supplies to New York.
The governor predicted the worst of the virus would peak in 14 to 21 days, overwhelming the healthcare system state-wide.
Vice President Mike Pence said more vital ventilators would arrive in-state.
Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison