City Bar and Vera Institute Submit Amicus Brief Urging Federal Receiver for Rikers

SUMMARY

The New York City Bar Association and the Vera Institute of Justice have jointly submitted an amicus brief supporting the appointment of a federal receiver to take control of the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island, and to do so in parallel with New York City’s legal obligation to close the jail complex. It is the first amicus brief ever submitted by the Vera Institute. The brief was submitted in the case of Mark Nunez, et al. v. The City of New York, et al, a class-action civil lawsuit brought in 2011 by 12 current and former people incarcerated on Rikers Island who allege they were subjected to excessive force by Department of Correction (DOC) employees in violation of the Constitution and federal and state law.

UPDATE

The motion to file was granted on December 11, 2023.