Rikers’ restaurant thief and more: Letters
Eating is not a crime It’s surprising, really, that Pei Chong, often dubbed the “Dinner and Dash diva,” is locked up on Rikers Island for, essentially, not paying for dinners. Her offenses are all non-violent, which makes it hard to understand why she’s there when I’ve read about violent offenders still roaming the streets. I […]
Pei Chung declines to exit Rikers once more after skipping out on a restaurant bill.
She’s not rushing to leave Rikers. On Wednesday, Pei Chong, who is accused of being a serial “Dinner and Dash” perpetrator, opted to stay in her Rikers Island cell instead of appearing in court in Brooklyn. This marks the second attempt she has made to skip her legal obligations. This time, Judge Jacob Zelmanowitz decided […]
Mamdani set to sign legislation preventing ICE from operating in Rikers or any correctional facility in NYC
New York City Moves to Ban ICE from Local Correctional Facilities New York City is set to prohibit ICE from operating in 19 correctional facilities within the city, including Rikers Island. Mayor Zoran Mamdani is anticipated to sign the Safeguarding Act soon, which would greatly enhance restrictions on collaboration between city and federal agents related […]
Federal judge appoints former CIA officer to oversee Rikers Island
New Leadership at Rikers Island A federal judge has appointed a former CIA officer to oversee operations at Rikers Island, shifting control away from city officials. Nicholas Demle, who previously directed the Vermont Department of Corrections, will step in as the facility’s new leader, addressing the ongoing challenges it faces. This decision came through an […]
How Mamdani can avoid the difficult period that Rikers Island now holds for him
Challenges Await Mayor Zoran Mamdani at Rikers Island Mayor Zoran Mamdani is stepping into a tough situation at Rikers Island, unlike his predecessors who may have hoped for a smoother path. He’s contending with the failed replacement plan initiated under de Blasio and is facing federal oversight on the horizon. According to city law, the […]
Zohran Mamdani’s directive to limit solitary confinement at Rikers Island in New York City
New York City Mayor Takes Charge of Prison Reform Mayor Zoran Mamdani has taken significant steps to address issues within New York City’s prison system, particularly following his predecessor’s actions regarding solitary confinement. His latest executive order directs prison officials to implement a 2024 city law designed to ban certain controversial practices. This law faced […]
14th inmate passes away at Rikers: ‘Completely failing’
In-Custody Death at Rikers Island In a troubling incident, a 32-year-old inmate at Rikers Island passed away early Sunday morning, marking the 14th death at the facility this year, according to officials from the Department of Corrections. Aramis Firth was found in poor condition at the Otis Bantam Correctional Center around 2 a.m. He was […]
Two NYC correction officers assaulted in four hours at the same Rikers jail – one by a suspect charged with a violent subway attack, according to the union
Brutal Attacks on Correctional Officers at Rikers Island On Wednesday, two correctional officers were violently attacked over a period of four hours at Rikers Island, with one officer being slashed by a weapon known as the Subway knife, according to union representatives. The officer, who has been on the job for 11 years, was attacked […]
Mother in New York City who claimed her missing autistic son was a fabrication is now in custody at Rikers.
A mother from Brooklyn has been taken into custody at Rikers Island. She made a startling claim to police that her 11-year-old son, Jacob Pritchett, who is nonverbal and autistic, never existed. Authorities shared this information on Monday. When child welfare officials and police searched her home on Howard Street in late September and early […]
Young attacker of Tessa Majors sentenced to Rikers for assault
Violent Path of Teen Involved in Tessa Majors’ Murder A 13-year-old boy, previously linked to the murder of Barnard College student Tessa Majors, has continued his pattern of violence even after being released from juvenile detention. Since his release, Zaire Davis has faced new charges, including attempted murder and an assault on a prison guard, […]