Opinion: No longer behind bars, but not truly free
Without support systems in place, many formerly incarcerated individuals in New York risk falling into a cycle of poverty and criminalization.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer
• December 3, 2024
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘Gone ‘Til November’ Tells A Different Story
Lizzie Essiedu, Contributing Writer
• November 16, 2016
Tisch Professor Teaches Female Inmates
Kaitlyn Wang, Staff Writer
• November 14, 2016
Solitary Confinement Reform a Time-Sensitive Issue
Shiva Darshan, Staff Writer
• September 6, 2016
New York Bail Policies Stifle Justice
Matthew Perry, Contributing Writer
• April 25, 2016
Reform Rikers or shut it down
WSN Editorial Board
• September 28, 2015
Dharma Niles, News Editor • December 13, 2024
Ivanka Sun, Contributing Writer • December 13, 2024
WSN Staff • December 13, 2024
Eleanor Jacobs, Music Editor • December 13, 2024