144: The Campaign to Close Rikers Island w/Richard Willstatter and Stan German

Aug 4, 2023

01:05:16

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Today, Hunter spoke with two New York Criminal Defense Attorneys, Richard Willstatter and Stan Germán, to discuss the crisis at Rikers Island. For more than a decade, there has been a class action lawsuit against the city because of the inhumane conditions in the jails. Sadly, the calls for closure, reform, or receivership have continuously fallen on deaf ears. As a result, the death toll in Riker's is reaching record highs. While there may be good news coming in the near term as people with power finally decide to act, it cannot be forgotten that with every passing day, the lives of every person in the jail are at risk.

Guests:

Richard Willstatter, Partner, Law Offices of Green and Willstatter

Stan Germán, Executive Director, New York County Defender Services

Resources:

NY Times Death Tracker at Rikers

https://www.nytimes.com/article/rikers-deaths-jail.html

Federal Prosecutor Urges Takeover of Rikers Island

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/nyregion/rikers-island-federal-takeover.html

NYCDS

https://nycds.org/

Timeline of Events at Rikers

https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/07/timeline-closure-rikers-island/376662/