Rage on Rikers Island: Former DOC Captain Issues Warning to Federal, State and Local Officials

‘What Happened 50 Years Ago at Attica Can Happen on the Island’

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The G-Man Interviews: Willie Young
(Hosted & Produced by Gary Glennell Toms)

 

Welcome.

In the wake of recent reports about increasing acts of violence against New York City Department of Correction officers (NYCDOC) and inmates viciously assaulting other inmates on Rikers Island, retired DOC Captain Willie Young joins me to explain why he believes things will only get worse and what can and should be done to control the situation.

Captain Young appeared on the show back in May of this year, along with retired Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Matthew Fogg, and revealed how incompetence, mismanagement and racism at the highest levels of the department have created a “powder keg situation.” Shortly after the interview was published, the commissioner of the department, Cynthia Braun, resigned. Several weeks later, department chief Hazel Jennings retired. Their leadership, as well as the level of experience of two other Rikers Island officials, was called into question by the former captain during the interview.

It should be noted that The G-Man Interviews has not been able to determine if the information presented by Captain Young and Chief Deputy Fogg played a role in the departure of the aforementioned DOC officials.

Captain Willie Young began working for the department in 2007. He was assigned to the George Motchan Detention Center and worked as an officer supervising low to high-class inmates in dorm or cell areas. After being promoted to the rank of Captain, he was assigned to the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, where he supervised officers in various positions within the command. Captain Young retired in 2016 with a three quarter pension due to illness.

The interview was conducted on September 17.

Note: A few hours after the recording of this episode, Governor Kathy Hochul held a press conference to announce that major actions would be taken to improve justice and safety in New York City jails.

Photo credit: Willie Young