Rikers: An Oral History

Journalists Rayman and Blau provide a history of the infamous New York prison Rikers Island. They share the stories of formerly incarcerated individuals, their family members, corrections officers, and lawyers. The authors explore race, sexuality, medical care, socioeconomic status, living conditions, and more. They highlight events throughout the history of the prison, including riots, escape attempts, and the COVID pandemic. A stunning cast of narrators, such as Nathan Agin, Jonathan Beville, and Nancy Bober, give heart and humanity to the many who have served time there, including celebrities such as Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and Tupac Shakur. The level of corruption, deceit, and endemic disrepair in the prison is contrasted with the humanity of those who have been sentenced to serve time there. The book highlights the resilience and strength that it takes to survive prison, especially when faced with bureaucracy and an inequitable criminal-justice system. Listeners will likely be moved by the participants’ stories about the challenging conditions they have encountered. The work’s final chapter ties up loose ends by sharing how the individuals in the book are faring today.