Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged last week that he initially underestimated the dysfunction that had allowed chronic violence and corruption to flourish at the Rikers Island jail complex, adding that he intended to make reforming this troubled system a top priority.
The reform measures outlined by Mr. de Blasio and his correction commissioner, Joseph Ponte, are a good start. But vigilance will be needed to ensure that the old, abusive system is replaced by a more humane one.
The city says that Mr. Ponte has replaced 90 percent of the system’s senior leaders, including 12 of 14 wardens. The Correction Department says it is investigating the possibility of moving 16- and 17-year-old offenders off the island and finding new facilities to hold them. It has decided to eliminate solitary confinement for adolescents, who are at great risk of self-harm if left by themselves.
[For more of this story, written by the NY Times Editorial Board, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11...g&pgtype=article]
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