It's the Brian Lairn Show.

I'm producer Amina Serna, filling in for Brian today.

Now let's check back in on the ongoing struggles at Rikers Island.

The latest news is that the federal judge overseeing the jail complex has appointed a

former CIA officer who ran Vermont's prison system as the so-called remediation manager

for Rikers.

He will report to the judge and be in charge.

To explain what this means for the city, the corrections officers,

and the people being held in jail, I'm joined now by Ruvane Blow, a reporter for the news organization

the city, who covers criminal justice and the city's prison system. We'll also touch on

where things stand with plans to shut down Rikers in favor for smaller jails in the boroughs.

Welcome back to WMIC, Ruvane.

Thanks for having me.

So who is this new remediation manager, and when does he take over?

His name is Nicholas Demel, and he's actually a former CIA officer as well, and he has spent the last four years heading the Vermont jail and prison system.

And when he takes over, kind of remains up in the air.

The judge has ordered him to come up with a plan outlining his salary, his team, and his start date, and the judge has given him 21 days to submit that plan.

Raveen, at the risk of revealing too much about myself.

I did grow up in Vermont.

I mean, Vermont is very small compared to Rikers.

Can you talk a little bit more about why this person is like qualified to take over Rikers?

Yeah, it's a great question. I grew up in Colorado myself, so a little bigger than there, though.

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