This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. Many of us look at the

nation's jails and prisons as dangerous places for those who are helped there. But advocates

say conditions at New York's Writers Island are literally killing prisoners, even those

who are guilty of nothing. Writers is a war zone, Writers is a place where PTSD goes to thrive

because all of the people being incarcerated there, they are going through violence,

it's just pure violence and not just from incarcerated people, but often from the corrections

officers themselves. The crisis at Writers Island coming up on a word with me, Jason Johnson.

Stay with us.

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race and politics and everything else. I'm your host,

Jason Johnson. The Writers Island jail complex in New York is notorious for its brutality

and danger for inmates. Just this year, at least 18 people have died at Riker. Some killed at the

hands of other inmates, some by suicide and others from medical neglect. Years of promises to improve

conditions have gone unfulfilled and advocates are pressing the city officials to follow through

on plans to close the facility. But how do the crisis at Writers Island get so bad? And why

of political efforts to fix it failed? Joining us to talk about it is Aliamey Oluhrin. She's a public

defender with the Legal Aid Society and a frequent commentator on judicial issues. Aliamey,

welcome to a word. I thank you for having me. What's actually going on at Riker's right now?

Like, why are people dying there? Because of depraved indifference and mismanagement,

that's honestly the truth. Rikers is a place that's reputation proceeds it and honestly,

I think to its detriment. Because its reputation proceeds it, people think it's this really infamous,

terrible jail for terrible convicted criminals. But in actuality, Rikers is a pre-trial detention

center. In that shot, most people to find out and you wouldn't think that a place has been open

...