In a shocking incident at Rikers Island, one of the largest jails in the United States, City Council member Sandy Nurse encountered inappropriate behavior from an inmate during a facility tour on October 22. Rikers Island, known for its overcrowding and management issues, has come under scrutiny for years, but this incident raises further concerns about safety protocols in the prison.
According to sources cited by the New York Post, around 10:50 AM, Nurse requested that the accompanying correction officers maintain their distance to avoid creating tension with the inmates. However, while in the dining area, inmate Gregorio Garcia unexpectedly slapped her on the buttocks twice without saying a word. The correction officers quickly intervened, managing to restrain Garcia, a 5-foot tall, 200-pound inmate who attempted to resist but was ultimately returned to his cell.
Despite the incident, Nurse opted not to pursue the matter further, suggesting that Garcia might be suffering from mental health issues. Nurse, who represents parts of Brooklyn including Bushwick and Brownsville, also chairs the City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee and has previously proposed banning the use of pepper spray on inmates.
Critics have since argued that elected officials should advocate for enhanced safety measures to protect not only the inmates and staff but also the community at large. They emphasize that accountability for such behavior is essential and caution against limiting officers’ ability to use pepper spray or segregate violent offenders from non-violent ones, warning that failing to do so may lead to more serious incidents.
Garcia, who is currently incarcerated for alleged sexual assault stemming from a November 2023 incident, faces additional charges of assault and forcible touching, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in Manhattan Supreme Court on October 24.
