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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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)

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

After touring Rikers Island on Monday, Sept. 27, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted the city’s progress in improving the jail. However, he failed to mention the deadly overcrowding,...

The Exploitation of Prisoners During Crisis

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

New York State is in the middle of a grave public health crisis, with the second-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. The way that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s...

The False Promise of Closing Rikers Island

The False Promise of Closing Rikers Island

The city’s so-called proposal to close the jail and build four new ones only guarantees the creation of the newer jails. Rikers’ closure, set for 2026, is not guaranteed to happen.
Asha Ramachandran, Contributing Writer October 27, 2019

The New York City Council overwhelmingly voted earlier this month to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex. The $8 billion resolution will replace Rikers by building,...

A truck bearing the Correction Department of New York logo is parked near iconic Chinatown buildings. The Student Government Association has released a statement demanding de Blasio (as an NYU alumnus) close Rikers. (Staff Photo by Marva Shi)

Student Government Urges Mayor to Close Rikers Island, Open No New Jails

Student government released a statement in solidarity with No New Jails NYC, a prison abolitionist group.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor October 3, 2019

NYU’s student government released a statement on Thursday urging the city to close Rikers Island — a jail infamous for its neglect and use of brutal force against inmates —...

Inside the hearing at City Hall, many gathered for the public hearing on the Rikers Island Closure Plan. (Photo by Sam Clegg)

City Council Holds Potential Final Meeting on Rikers’s Closure

With Rikers Island slated to close by 2026, the public had something to say about it.
Yasmarie Diaz, Contributing Writer September 9, 2019

In its only hearing on the multi-billion dollar, 10-year plan to close Rikers Island, New York’s City Council discussed the merits of the four jails planned to be built in every...

Layleen's sister, Melania, spoke about the need to protect transgender women of color as they're the most vulnerable members of the transgender and gender-nonconforming community. (Photo by Anna Muratova)

New Yorkers Protest After Transgender Woman Dies While in Jail

Layleen Polanco died in the city’s custody last Friday — on Monday, protestors gathered at Foley Square to call on the city to launch an investigation into her death.
Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Senior Reporter June 12, 2019
Layleen Polanco died in the city’s custody last Friday — on Monday, protestors gathered at Foley Square to call on the city to launch an investigation into her death.
The famous rapper published his book Gone, Til’ November on October 1st.

‘Gone ‘Til November’ Tells A Different Story

Lizzie Essiedu, Contributing Writer November 16, 2016
Lil Wayne's new autobiography "Gone 'Til November" humanizes him in a way that his music has never been able to.
Although her teaching is not limited to Tisch students, Joanne Edelmann primarily acts as a professor in the Stella Adler Studio.

Tisch Professor Teaches Female Inmates

Kaitlyn Wang, Staff Writer November 14, 2016
Tisch professor Joanne Edelmann isn't just a teacher to NYU drama students — she teaches a movement technique class to female inmates at Rikers Island.
Solitary Confinement Reform a Time-Sensitive Issue

Solitary Confinement Reform a Time-Sensitive Issue

Shiva Darshan, Staff Writer September 6, 2016
Over a year and a half after punitive segregation reforms were implemented, the Department of Corrections has yet to put them in place.
New York Bail Policies Stifle Justice

New York Bail Policies Stifle Justice

Matthew Perry, Contributing Writer April 25, 2016
There is one process housed in the criminal justice system which quietly delivers especially egregious and far-reaching decisions: the bail system.
Reform Rikers or shut it down

Reform Rikers or shut it down

WSN Editorial Board September 28, 2015
Indictment of Riker's Island corrections officer is the first step towards fixing a long history of abuse and neglect of inmates.

Rikers Island bans solitary for youths

Alex Bazeley, Deputy News Editor January 29, 2015
Rikers Island inmates 21 years old and younger can no longer be placed in solitary confinement, New York City officials announced.