Rikers Violence: Out Of Control {graphic!}

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http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-05-09/news/rikers-violence-out-of-control/



The Voice has obtained extremely disturbing images from New York City's jail system. These photographs—graphically showing knife wounds and beating injuries to the faces, necks, and arms of inmates—were provided to us by Correction Department sources who want the outside world to know that violence has escalated at Rikers Island.

Four years ago, the Voice first wrote about the violence at Rikers, which was not only condoned but also promoted by jail officials in a disturbing "fight club" that pitted inmates against one another. We were assured by the Correction Department that this practice had stopped, as two jail guards were sent to prison.

Now we have learned that the practice has not stopped.

Some of these images are hard to look at. We know that some readers will object to their being published. But in printing them, the Voice hopes that this time, more officials will take seriously the problem we originally exposed in 2008.