Horrifying allegations of sexual abuse at Rikers reported on by Gothamist this week have added to the litany of inhumane conditions and inadequate leadership in the NYC jail system. In response to the Mayor's refusal to acknowledge a culture of abuse BDS Executive Director Lisa Schreibersdorf responded:

"[people] continue to face life-threatening conditions and systemic abuse in New York City jails.” She called for more accountability, a reduction in the city’s jail population and the appointment of a federal receiver to manage Rikers.

“These horrifying allegations of serial sexual assault are unfortunately consistent with what we know about the jails’ history of abuse from our decades representing people incarcerated at Rikers,” Schreibersdorf said."

Read the full reporting here.