Opinion: Rikers must end the inhumane treatment of New Yorkers with mental illness

As CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, I write to express my deep concern over recent reports detailing the prolonged confinement and inadequate healthcare for individuals with severe mental illness at Rikers Island.

These troubling allegations indicate that people in need of comprehensive mental health care are instead being left in isolation, a practice that is not only damaging to the individual but is counter to the ethical and legal standards governing the treatment of incarcerated persons. 

As an organization dedicated to advocating for individuals living with mental illness and promoting humane and supportive mental health services, we view these reports with great alarm. 

The conditions at Rikers Island, as described, pose grave risks to the physical and mental health of those incarcerated, undermining their dignity and right to adequate care. Isolation and lack of treatment can lead to severe and lasting consequences, exacerbating mental health symptoms and compounding trauma.

The Alliance therefore calls upon the Board of Correction to initiate an immediate investigation into these alleged conditions. We urge a transparent inquiry that includes a thorough assessment of the current healthcare and mental health practices at Rikers, with particular attention to the treatment and living conditions of individuals with severe mental illness. 

It is imperative that steps be taken to ensure that all individuals receive appropriate, timely, and humane care in line with the standards established by New York State Mental Hygiene Law and national best practices for correctional mental health care. 

We are hopeful that the Board of Correction will act swiftly to address these grave concerns. 

Matt Kudish is a social worker and the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City.