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To the editor:
On July 22, The City Reporter published a report revealing that there are 1,550 broken cell doors in two Rikers jails.
Former Department of Correction Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi was interviewed, and he did what he does best. He blamed correction officers for systematic leadership failures and vandalism by incarcerated persons.
In policing, the “broken windows” theory suggests targeting minor crimes creates a lawful atmosphere while condoning minor crimes encourages more serious crime.
In correction, the broken doors theory is the same.
Wedging a toothpaste cap in the cell door frame prevents the door from locking. Many times, incarcerated persons jimmy the lock which allows them to “pop out” of the cell. Wedging or jimmying will likely break the lock.
Incarcerated individuals repeatedly kick and pull cell doors eventually taking them off the track rendering them inoperable.
Except for issuing tickets, there’s little correction officers can do. The ticket itself is useless because there’s no confinement, fine or any discipline imposed.
Doors are fixed and intentionally broken again.
Before DOC’s collapse, incarcerated persons who broke or manipulated cell doors would be disciplined, housed in confinement and likely charged with criminal mischief and obstructing governmental administration.
Consequently, there were less cell doors broken and violence was more manageable.
For years incarcerated persons have broken cell doors with impunity.
Schiraldi was commissioner from May to December of 2021 and current DOC Commissioner Stanley Richards was first deputy commissioner.
In 2021, DOC reported 11,214 infractions for fight or assault and 1,152 assaults on staff.
In 2022 alone there were 491 slashings.
For context, in 10 years from 2001-2010 there were just 350 slashings.
From 2016-2025 DOC reported 100,000 infractions for fight or assault, 11,000 assaults on staff and 2,400 slashings.
Because top DOC leadership condoned property damage and minor crimes, it helped create a lawless environment that escalated from breaking doors to breaking jaws.
Marc Bullaro
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