By Margaret Kimberley at Black Agenda Report
May 30, 2025
Our guest is Melanie Dominguez, Organizing Director, New York with the Katal Center for
Equity, Health, and Justice . She joins us from New York City to discuss the federal takeover of
Rikers Island jail. On May 15, a federal judge stripped New York City of its control over Rikers
Island and ordered a third party to take over its operations. But what of the plan to build jails
throughout the city? What is the outlook, and does this plan provide safety for New York? While
the fate of Rikers Island is under discussion, New York State prisons are also in crisis. Proposed
legislation would change how they are administered.