Rikers Island Correctional Facility

The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is the poor health care but if you like studying creatures such as bed bugs, lice, and mutant water bugs this is the place. Food is served 3 times a day with breakfast being a choice of wheat bread jelly, butter and milk with cereal. If your lucky enough to spend more time you can get 1 muffin and on Thursdays the chicken line is where it’s at, choose between rare and med cooked chicken. Please keep in mind you will have to eat fast due to the rats that seem to be working out to much because they are not scared of nothing and will debo your food with no questions asked
The staff ensure that you get access to tv, phones and arts and crafts l. Security is lil tight but it grows on you. City and river views make it a dream spot on the governments dime. Not bad also if your lucky you can find friends who watch you pee, shit and shower to make sure no one messes with you. When your stay is up you will leave in a special bus to protect from zombies getting in with cages and bars on the bus. Then you get a metro card to enter boring nyc again. If your one of the lucky few to enter this world by special invite only come on by. Tell them big L sent you. If you are a regular the staff will know you by name and give you a shout out to the receiving room staff welcoming you back

3 hots and a cot, 24 hour security, view of Manhattan and the water, what more can you ask for. All for the very competitive price of free! All fees paid for by your hardworking taxpayers.

So since everyone else wrote a review on their stay why not write one on visiting a inmate. So before you even think about attending this place check the calendar for the inmates last name + visiting hours, I took the Q100 bus on hazen street since that’s the only way I could enter this hell hole. When I got off the bus i lined up against a gate, there I saw lockers an signs that stated I must not bring any electronic devices, weapons or drugs inside the building so I locked everything I had with me up (walk with quarters) Money and packages for the inmates can be taken with you but dont think the perfectly iron suit is not going to have wrinkles after their done searching it .After you go through the first set of medal detectors make sure you know the inmates information (book, case # and housing) then proceed to registration there they will print you out something that looks like a boarding ticket (make sure everyone that’s going to visit that inmate for that day is present before you check in) I think detainees are allowed 3 visits per week, and sentenced inmates may receive 2 visits per week. you then board a jail school bus to be taken to the housing. when arriving to the housing you walk through another medal detector then your instructed to remove everything earring, food, pens, watches, paper etc and lock it up in a locker only thing your allowed in is that boarding pass looking paper and they key for that lock, however if you bring packages for the inmates theres a window you go by for them to tag their stuff. Just when I taught I security checks was over I got frisked by a female c. o before entering the waiting room to see my love one. I was seated then he came out I guess your allowed to give hugs, handshakes, and smooches from what I observed. overall the trip was a bit hectic but well worth seeing + boosting my love ones confidence word of advice do right by the law !!!

Great vacation getaway if you like getting your butt kicked from both inmates and officers. Food is decent but I’ve had alot better from the dollar menu. Floors are dirty. I seen bed bugs crawling around the size if roaches. Gotta wash your under wears in the sink if your unlucky you will have to do them for others.

I remember being borded into the bluebird bus that many times hit pot holes allowing me to jump up and down and bang my nuts on the seat. We had got stuck midway over the bridge and snowbound, While I hear the Asian Correction officer along with his partner who was the spitting image of Don Mattingly sing O.P.P by Naughty by Nature. I was alone on a saturday at that cold bus, chained. I thought of using this situation to escape the two hip hop loving guards. I told the guard I was sick and going to throw up, and they quickly said «Not in here you won’t» they took me outside and I said I Had to take a piss as well, I tried to run knee deep in the snow when i got tackled and kicked in the head
I went in with a background in Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wing Chung, luckily my dad was an instructor
A smaller short bus came to take me and bring me into C-​74, there the guards let the others I tried to escape. Unshackled I was with two black kids in one room and told to strip and put my belongings into a metal table, my clothes folded, I noticed the kid on the left tried to steal my Marlboro watch so when the guard left I socked him with a cross while he put back his underwear, he fell back and hit his head, he was unconscious, the guard looked and screamed «What happened» I simply said some people can’t stand up like they used to, and ultimately was met with a punch to the stomach, I shook it off and brought into a long corridor which lead me to C74, as I walked in I noticed the other dorms had windows on the door where the neanderthals would shout things out like” Im gonna get you whiteboy” Going in I was given a blanket, pillowcase without pillow, soap and one roll of toilet paper which I called, «John Wayne» toilet paper because it was hard as nails and took no shit from nobody” Quickly word got out about me knocking some kid unconscious so I made friends, my dorm was MO house for trouble makers, it was 50 percent Dominicans, 30 percent puerto ricans and the rest black and other.
My first meal was Pasta and meat with no sauce, I was also given a milk, food tasted like wet noodles and grill gristle.
During dinner we were lead to chow where there was a metal canister in the middle, It was filled with cold Pink Lemonade libation goodness.
Dinner was some sort of sausage with beans which was tolerable.
I later learned to get a muslim halal card, and a jewish card, and know the kitchen staff to see which card would get me a better meal for the day.
Chocolate pudding was great.
When I would shower, I would take my clothes and wash them, people thought it was funny, but It was really a way for me not to get my own clothes robbed being there was no jump suits.
The day room was controlled by the suicide watch, quality programming was usually spanish novelas. Phone time, you did not get a pin number, I had 20 minutes a day since I was new, which became an hour after beating someone’s ass who kept harassing me while I talked to my court appointed attone
During my stay I had gotten into a couple of fights one with a guard named Castro who was Puertorican and Italian. He was a real prick who thought he could fight, but was only tough when his supervisor was there. He sucker punched me and I had picked him up and slammed him down the floor, I was later beaten by two other C. Os and brought to Bing court. That landed me with some infraction and lead to my stay longe. I was in Solitary that was not really bad, because my mind thought I was somewhere else. I was let out in 2 weeks and did not get an infraction for assault like they scared me into. Castro ended up making a ton of money on O. T during a slashing at my dorm that happened shortly. They have a thing called «Slash for cash» where everybody makes a killing in O. T whenever someone gets their face cut, I haven’t saw him for awhile and I guess the other incident was more important money wise.
I had got suckered punched and got 2 split lips into a fight, it required 20 stitches my mom got me out of the dorm, which I was against and placed in the dreaded protective custody dorm. PC was also called «pussy city,» but you had your own cell, with sink and toilet, great privacy. My accommodations had a king kong with a woman painted on the wall with tropical trees, my window faced laguardia airport.
I had been in more fights in Rikers in anytime on the street. My next to last fight was a day before I got released from a court date. Some stupid kid name trini thought I stole his deodorant, and while another fight when on I brutally beat the shit out of him in his cell. Then the bullpins, when going to court fights break out in bullpins, they have one for each borough you get locked up in. I kicked some guy with a 3 piece suit in the face for making fun of my stitches” it looked like a crooked mustache”, I made sure he looked like an asshole with a ripped suit in a black eye.
Rikers adolencent sucks ass, now I hear more than ever, hopfully the DoJ will make this

Rude staff who don’t give a crap what anyone thinks of them — that’s clerical as well as guards and professionals. This place is a dump dump dump. Can’t stand going there and glad I don’t reside there. I’d give it an eighth of a star if I could.

Leave extra time to get here. It takes a while to get in and out. It takes longer to get out for some people, but that’s a different story.
Major improvements to the facility in terms of smell: as it gets colder, you can’t smell the harbor so much.
The Q100 bus will get you to the Island [
. You can pick it up after the F Train at the 21^st St /​Queens’bridge stop.
If you are driving, remember: when you see the «Riker’s Island» sign and turn in [right turn from the LIE and LaGuardia Airport] DON’T DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST GUARD POST! Make the first right into the parking lot, drive forward towards the trailer-​looking buildings. Park.
Get out of your car with the car’s registration and your driver’s licence. climb the wooden stairs to the window on the left and smile. Say «hello, Officer» and pass your car’s registration and your driver’s licence though the tray at the bottom of the window to the correction officer sitting at the desk. Wait. Tell her your destination in the prison. Wait. Tell her your destination again in the prison. Wait.
Collect your Gate Pass and all your documents. You can put away the car’s registration, but keep out the driver’s licence and Gate Pass. Go back out of the parking lot the way you came in, make the right towards the prison and the first gatehouse.
Slow and stop your car, roll down your driver’s side window and smile. Say «hello, Officer» and show your driver’s licence and Gate Pass. Say «goodbye, Officer» and roll up your window. Drive through the gate towards the Bridge.
If you drive it at night, you will see on your left one of the greatest views on the NYC skyline there is. If you can stop your eyes from watering from the stench. [Yes, that is a methane burn-​off tower shooting a flame 10 feet into the air.]
Hazen Street is the name of the Bridge and concourse that you drive over to get to each guardpost. The first right over the Bridge is the parking lot. Find a spot and park. Leave the Gate Pass on the dashboard so you don’t get towed.
Now, let me give you a quick piece of advice: I’m a lawyer, but this ain’t lawyer stuff, it’s common sense. DON’T BRING ILLEGAL STUFF IN WITH YOU TO RIKER’S. UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAY A WHILE. SERIOUSLY.
Bring your driver’s licence and your car keys and leave everything else in the car [phone, camera, knives, flasks, chainsaws, etc.] LOCK YOUR CAR. Did you leave the Gate Pass on the dashboard so you don’t get towed? Smart.
Enter the facility to your left. If you are a lawyer with a NYS Court card: congratulations. The lawyer’s EZ Pass lane is on the left: you get to cut in front of everyone. Otherwise, stay to your right behind the line [the sign will tell you which line] and wait.
When you are called, slowly but calmly approach the window. Say «hello, Officer» and show your driver’s licence and state your destination. Wait. Wait. Tell her your destination in the prison. Wait. Tell her your destination again in the prison. Wait. Get a hand stamp and a plastic square with a number and a building name on it. Say «thank you, Officer»
Go out to the busses, transport to the house where your appointment is, then do the reverse to get out.
And be glad you can.
Take care.

The city of New York suggested I stay on the island for 3 months. Week 1 I witnessed a man get stabbed with a splintered chicken bone, I don’t miss the midnight shake downs or stripping naked in front of correctional officers and being forced to spread my ass and squat. I was completely depleted of vitamin D and drank purell hand sanitizer and instant koolaid just to feel something. Would not recommend rikers island. Miss those duchess honey buns though

Great island getaway right in my own backyard. Beautiful on a summer night with a great view of Manhattan’s famous skyline. The dinner is nothing less than 5 star.
Insider tip– Thursday is chicken night and it’s to die for.
Only a pop, squat and cough away.

«Heartbreak today. My friend „Fat Baby“ was denied medical attention after falling in the shower until she awoke this morning unable to move from the concussion. Our friend Jack was only taken to the hospital after coughing up blood for three days and the women in my dorm came together in uproar. We found out that she died this morning, she had undiagnosed liver cancer and Hepatitis C. I remain strong with my sisters. We are developing a list of grievances that I will read at the gates of Rikers upon my release.» Cecily McMillan

I’m thankful I am not an inmate or a corrections officer. When you walk into any one of the buildings, there is the unmistakeable smell of Rikers. It’s like body odor, bleach, and beefaroni?
I have a huge appetite so I figured how bad could the food be? Well, for starters the hot dogs are an unnatural white and they have bones in them! So be thankful next time you eat a boneless hotdog. Another frequent dish is the rainbow baloney that comes in various colors from an iridescent green to deep purple. Beefaroni doesn’t look too bad but it too has bones. The smelly beefaroni oils seem to permeate through the skin for a few days, probably why Rikers smells like it.
Protip: If you find yourself an inmate here, definitely request vegetarian meals if they do that.
Interesting fact: even though Rikers is attached to Queens by a bridge it is considered part of the Bronx.

This place is not built up to what people say about it. The location is NOT convenient at all. It’s in Queens, all the parties are in Manhattan. Additionally, you have to take a public transportation across a treacherous bridge. If I needed to be on a bus, I would be on a party bus.
I came here in the fall so it was already chilly outside. I was definitely underdressed considering the surrounding body of «water.» It only became worse when I discovered that only vending machine «food» was to be offered for dinner; not my cup of tea, but you get what you pay for.
My last gripe was the rooms. I requested a king bed, do you think I got a king bed? NO. I was given a seat between «Cheeseburger» Eddy and Fat Joe. But, all-​in-​all I would give this place 4 out of 5, when you consider the price of the rooms. Plus nobody I know got killed in South Central L.A.; today was a good day

If you like living in squalor, rude staff and food unsuitable for consumption by feral pigs then this is your place. It does have a lovely view although it smells like hot garbage.

I’ve visited clients on Rikers over the past two years and have friends who work as correctional officers. The facility has dormitories, cells, and modules which comprise several separate jails. The amenities are poor to average, the food is terrible, and the staff varies from friendly to mostly indifferent. There are some CO’s with poor attitudes, but for the most part, the officers just want to get through their daily tour with as few annoyances as possible. The best way to survive detention is to mind your business and avoid hanging out in groups. You don’t want to owe anyone anything, because that can quickly lead to problems. Contrary to stories of intimidation, assault, and rape, if you mind your business you shouldn’t experience many issues. A typical day consists of a recreation time and more time then you’ll ever want to sit around and do nothing. Basically, you have to learn how to survive total boredom as most detainees and inmates do very little to nothing all day.
Rikers is comprised of a cross-​section of races, age, education, and background. Yes, there are plenty of tough guys and gangs, but there are also plenty of non-​tough guys to balance the population to make things survivable. The meals are not good at all. A typical dinner is a spongy breaded chicken patty without any trace of chicken, imitation mashed potato, veggies that taste like can, and stiff bread. Portions are very small, and you’re shuttled to-​and-​from the mess hall with about 5 minutes to actually consume your meal. If possible, arrange to have money placed into commissary where you can purchase snacks to balance your diet.

I guess it depends what side of the criminal justice system you find yourself on, but I find Riker’s Island to be pretty cool as far a correctional facilities go.
In the summer time it’s actually pretty nice on the island with the breeze off the East River/​Long Island Sound. It’s also an awesome spot for aircraft spotting.
I don’t usually like it when I have to come here because entry/​exit can be a pain, but once I’m here it’s pretty cool.
Though I can say that because I’m not a permanent resident :-)

If the roaches & rats don’t mess with you the CO’s will

My big brother was a resident here off and on for years. He had free health care, free schooling, a water view and a gym membership with his residential plan.
I went to see him here many times while Mayor Dinkins was in office. It was a «lively» community with it’s own shuttle bus to the island. Going to visit him there was a growing experience.
His friends there seemed very nice and liked to share Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups a lot for some reason. Too bad they had to share one phone. But my brother said living in a gated community is not all that great but at least they had metal detectors to protect the residents. He said he felt like a prisoner!

Ah! New York’s little ‘vacation’ spot!
‘Where’d you go away to?’ someone asks.
‘The Island.‘
There’s a phrase: ‘three hots & a cot.‘
That refers to those people who do ‘something’ to enable to visit our little ‘holiday’ spot.
Rikers (I heard) was a LOT worse in the 90’s. I visited in ’02.
I was at C95 (there’s a bunch of jails on the Island, depending on your condition (medical), or age, or crime (history) is where you end up. Some are ‘mods,’ cells, and dorms. It all depends on ‘them’ — CO’s — where you end up.
Things you MUST remember: No matter what religion you (really) are/aren’t, say you’re ‘Jewish.‘
Why? Because, you’ll get a box of Matzoh (‘crackers, as some call it), a bottle of grape juice (both weekly) and, you’ll get a trip to meet the Rabbi (A VERY nice man who lets you use his phone).
2^nd thing to remember is say you’ve a medical condition, in which you NEED to have ‘double portions.‘
Trust me on this. Otherwise — you’ll really starve.
Make sure someone’s put money on your account. You’ll NEED it. For food, and for… other things (’nuff said).
The best thing to do is MYOB. Books — READ… In the day-​rooms, the TV’s on, and there’s only so much of either Springer, or other crap, I can stomach, so, read. Also; sign up for Law-​Library. It doesn’t make a difference IF you NEED it, just… sign up. It’s a time-​killer.
Also, go to rec.
Since smoking’s no longer allowed, that doesn’t really stop it. Though there is ‘Tea-​bacco’ cigarettes (those are ‘cigarettes made with tea leaves, and nicotine patches), and there ARE some (REAL) cigs, this IS jail, so, if you think you can have a nice ‘puff,’ forget it. It’s the thickness of pencil-​lead, and, everyone’ll try and get a drag, so, even if you’re the heaviest smoker, it can be MORE annoying than it’s worth, so, ‘just say no,’ especially if you’re there for only a week or so.
There are some CO’s who are very nice. They do their job, but, they treat you like a human. Others (tons) are only interested in eating their damm bag of chips, and yakking with each other, and pay no mind to
them, you are (just) a ‘body’ (that’s what they refer to you as).
I like it best when I read about that LAST type getting arrested for doing stupid shit. Let them get a taste of their OWN medicine.
Best thing to do? Don’t end up there. Otherwise, MYOB, and you (might) end up having stories to tell.

How I compare thee to a Unilocal Elite Event Venue
No booze, but there’s always free food — 3 squares a day. Rikers 1 Unilocal 0
Free proctology and/​or gynocological examines nightly. Rikers 2 Unilocal 0
Unilocal has free swag circa headbands, lunchboxes, t-​shirts — monthly. Rikers has coveralls, free laundry, and bracelets to match — daily. Rikers 3 Unilocal 0
Unilocal has men and women who like you but wouldn’t show it. Rikers has men and women who like you, and won’t hesitate to show you — again and again and again. Long time. Rikers 4 Unilocal 0
So what does Unilocal Elite Events have over Rikers? Peter D.

Rikers is a popular and intimidating prison, when you go on that highway/​bridge to get to the facility you feel like you are on your way to Shutter Island!
I went on a class «field trip» here many years ago and they must have asked the prisoners to scare us because they were doing anything they could to drill into our heads that prison is hell.
One kid in the class had an earring on and was harassed so bad he never wore it again.
If you are going to prison this is the place to be, because you will learn quickly that you messed up and hopefully you will get your act together.
They don’t serve good food though, so be prepared!