Prisoners at Rikers Island are ‘still shackled to the desks when they are in classrooms’

Prisoners at Rikers Island are still being shackled and handcuffed to metal restraint desks when they are in classrooms at the facility despite a New York correction commissioner promising to remove them last year.

Correction Commissioner Louis Molina told the city Board of Correction at a meeting last week that the desks are a ‘critical tool in managing a challenging population prone to acts of serious violence.’

His comments were opposite from last July when he told WNYC in July: ‘We’re removing the restraint desks that were part of our restrictive housing system.’ 

But the specially-built desks, which have been used at Rikers for six years, are still being used by 74 inmates at three Rikers housing units, correction sources told The New York Daily News.

Prisoners at Rikers Island are still shackled and handcuffed to metal restraint desks when they are in classrooms despite correction commissioner promising to remove them last year

The specially-built metal desks are used to restrain ‘potentially disruptive inmates during therapeutic, educational, programming, and/or recreational sessions in a classroom setting’

In July, the Department of Corrections (DOC) was preparing to begin a program called the Risk Management Accountability System, which would serve as a replacement for solitary confinement that allowed detainees more out-of-cell time.

But then Molina announced that he would be going with a different model called Enhanced Supervision Housing – which allowed the restraint desks.

There are two versions of restraint desks. One with a single seat, and another with double seats in which detainees face each other.

Inmates’ legs are chained through a steel bar in the desk, which is bolted to the floor. One arm is secured with handcuffs and a chain, which is looped through a ring welded to the desk.

According to the DOC, the specially-built metal desks are used to restrain ‘potentially disruptive inmates during therapeutic, educational, programming, and/or recreational sessions in a classroom setting.’ 

DailyMail.com has reached out to the DOC for comment.  

Correction Commissioner Louis Molina acknowledged that use of the desks has continued for the purpose of securing, as he put it, ‘individuals with a high propensity for violence’ 

Molina told the city Board of Correction at a meeting last week that the desks are a ‘critical tool in managing a challenging population prone to acts of serious violence’

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Molina had explained that the desks were a way to provide greater security for violent detainees. But he pointed out that he had initially wanted to use ‘mitts,’ which cover the hands and are intended to prevent slashings and stabbings.

However, he said that federal monitor Steve Martin, a court-appointed overseer of the jails, and Correction Department consultant James Austin advised him to use the restraint desks.

‘Our expert and the monitor had reservations about using restraint mitts when out of cell,’ Molina said. ‘So the alternative we had was the restraint desk. When we submitted that to the federal monitor, that is what was approved.’

At the meeting last week, Molina acknowledged that use of the desks has continued for the purpose of securing, as he put it, ‘individuals with a high propensity for violence.’ 

‘The desk enables the consistent provision of programming and socialization with peers [while] also ensuring safety,’ Molina said.

He was challenged by Board of Correction member Bobby Cohen, who is also a medical doctor, who pointed to Molina recently testifying that stabbings and slashings were down system-wide 14.4 percent in the last nine months.

‘Now you are telling us that violence is down and yet a month ago, you reinstituted the restraint chairs. Why did you do it?’ Cohen asked. ‘The board spent a long time trying to end this tortuous process.’ 

Correction Department consultant James Austin told the Daily News that the violence had declined ‘significantly’ in the Enhanced Supervision Housing units, where the desks are used. 

Austin then confirmed that when a detainee proves they are not a risk, they are only then transferred to another unit where restraint desks are not used. 

‘Commissioner Molina is correct — this is a much better approach than the handcuff/mitts as it allows one to actively participate in rehabilitative programs in a more normal manner,’ Austin added. 

At the meeting last week, Cohen also argued that the desks are medically dangerous and that the board had not been consulted on the change. 

‘Restraint desks are not a sound medical option,’ he said. ‘They are medically dangerous. They are torturous. They are humiliating and I hope you take them down as soon as possible.’

Molina shot back: ‘The problem, Dr. Cohen, is that death is also a very dangerous thing. And we cannot allow an opportunity for someone to kill another person.’