Rikers Rape Allegations Were Never Shared With NYPD Last Year: Court Papers
(DNAINFO) Rosa Goldensohn October 19, 2015 —Rikers inmates reported 28 separate incidents of rape behind bars last year — but the NYPD wasn’t told about any of them, according to new court filings.
The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which oversees health care at Rikers, alerted the Department of Correction of 116 total inmate allegations of sexual abuse in 2014 — 28 of which were allegations of rape — but the DOC only passed along two misdemeanor sex assaults to the NYPD, according to court documents filed by Public Advocate Letitia James.
In addition, 61 of the 116 sex abuse complaints were allegedly inflicted by jail staffers, court documents show.
“[Health department] data shows that DOC staff is alleged to have abused inmates at an alarming rate,” James wrote in court papers supporting a class action lawsuit that says city government has turned a blind eye to widespread sexual violence at the jail.
“Our affidavit proves the disturbing prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse allegations on Rikers Island, along with a stark lack of coordination between corrections and health care workers in the investigation of the incidents,” she added in a statement.
The DOC said it follows NYPD procedures in investigating and reporting sexual allegations.