NYC Explores Federal Takeover Of Rikers Island: Reports

NEW YORK CITY — A judge has ordered the city to outline a plan for a potential federal takeover of Rikers Island, the notorious 413-acre prison in the East River, several reports confirmed.

This court order to plan a possible federal takeover is the biggest step so far in a long case over mismanagement and abuse in Rikers, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, a Manhattan judge, issued the decision on Wednesday, the AP reported.

Swain has given the city until Nov. 12 to reach an agreement with stakeholders — including inmate advocates, the independent monitor, and city officials — about what the federal takeover would look like, how it would work and how long it would last, Gothamist reported.

This news comes less than a month after Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called for an independent investigation into sexual assault in Rikers, following the bombshell Gothamist report that women filed more than 700 lawsuits regarding sexual abuse at Rikers.

“In many cases, the DOC is tasked with investigating their own wrongdoing. It is unreasonable to expect people who have experienced abuse to trust that the agency abusing them can effectively police itself," Williams said during a public meeting with the Board of Correction earlier in the month.

Williams, a progressive Democrat and Brooklynite, could be installed acting mayor if Mayor Eric Adams resigns or is removed following the five-count accusation that he solicited illegal campaign contributions and bribes in exchange for favors, which was announced Thursday.