Rikers Island Inmates Plan Hunger Strike Over Deplorable Conditions at the Lockup

By: Mario Mancini

The situation at Riker’s Island continues to deteriorate as fed-up inmates at Rikers Island are planning another hunger strike over the deplorable conditions at the lockup — in hopes of raising enough attention that “some of us can go home, ’cause living here ain’t it!”, The NY Pot pointed out.

The New York Post reports that, “A handwritten note was secretly circulated among inmates urging them to go on hunger strike ahead of President Biden’s planned trip to the Big Apple later this week”. On January 12, 2022, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Craig McCarthy, and Mark Lungariello of The New York Post reported, “about 200 male inmates at the Robert N. Davoren Complex launched the protest on Saturday, said Alice Fontier, managing director of the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. “They have been refusing meals and asking to talk to whoever is in charge. They haven’t named anybody specifically, because of the conditions and the fact that you know they are denied basic medical care, they have been on regular lockdowns, they don’t have law libraries, all of the things that we’ve been talking about this whole time.”

With President Joe Biden set to visit New York City this week, inmates have begun plans to brings attention to the less than humane conditions and lack of services provided to inmates at Rikers Island. Inmates have been using the food service trays to pass along an anonymous missive imploring inmates to join a hunger striker. The letter reads, ““Through hunger strike, we can get some attention, and hopefully some of us can go home, ’cause living here ain’t it! So respectfully (no violence) because it’s gonna justify their f—kery. Let’s start making a difference.”

Mayoral Candidate Cutis Sliwa made the situation at Riker’s Island the cornerstone of his campaign, while former Mayor de Blasio, pledged to close the prison complex, which never happened obviously. Thus far Mayor Adams, has not spoken to the pubic about this issue.

The New York Post states that, “Last week, a group of public defenders pleaded with Biden to visit Rikers when he comes to the Big Apple on Thursday, calling on him to “witness firsthand” the “unmitigated humanitarian crisis” there.” The New York Post reported that It is unclear what is on Biden’s agenda outside of a meeting with Mayor Eric Adams. When The New York Post requested comment, A DOC spokesperson said there has been no indication of another food strike at RNDC. The warden is currently touring the facility to make sure that needs are addressed,” they said. “We take all grievances seriously and we are working around the clock to maintain the safety of people in our care and to ensure that they have the services and resources they need.”