![A woman holds a sign demanding the closure of the Rikers Island jail. Activists are criticizing the rising death toll and inhumane living conditions, and New York City has pledged to close Rikers Island in 2027. (Photo by Sam Clegg)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ops-ramachandran-rikerscrisis.jpg)
Opinion: Close Rikers now
Amid an alarming rise in suicides, neglect and unlivable conditions, it is incumbent upon Mayor Bill de Blasio to shut down Rikers Island jail complex and stop wasting taxpayer money on pointless reforms.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor
• September 30, 2021
![New York City has an obligation to vaccinate prisoners](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Contributing-Writer-Image-1-475x369-1.jpg)
New York City has an obligation to vaccinate prisoners
Incarcerated New Yorkers face a higher risk of exposure and death from COVID-19. They should be prioritized in the city’s vaccine distribution plan.
Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer
• March 29, 2021
![The Exploitation of Prisoners During Crisis](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ops-ramachandran.jpg)
The Exploitation of Prisoners During Crisis
As the coronavirus spreads across the state, New York is shifting the responsibility of combating the outbreak onto incarcerated people and is paying them around 60 cents an hour to do it.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Opinion Editor
• March 12, 2020
![Big Tree in the Kitchen](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Walkill-big-tree-Rachel-Buigas-Lopez-900x900.png)
Big Tree in the Kitchen
Wayne Mosley, Contributing Writer
• October 1, 2018
![People rally in front of NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New York. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NYU-Langone-Hosptial-Wide-1-1200x801.jpg)
Amelia Hernandez Gioia, Deputy News Editor • February 5, 2025
![(Alex Woodworth for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/news-internationalstudents-1-1200x800.jpg)
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor • February 5, 2025
![Opinion: A lack of accessibility leaves disabled commuters behind](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ops-MTA-1200x800.jpg)
Sam Kats, Contributing Writer • February 5, 2025
![(Courtesy of Dualtone Records)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Untitled-design-38-1200x800.png)
Maya Santiago, Staff Writer • February 5, 2025
![(Allina Xiao for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sports-electionopinionpiece-1200x800-1.jpg)
Levi Langley, Deputy Sports Editor • February 5, 2025