[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The 'Rikers Island Prison' located on the East River in New York City is notorious worldwide. This place, where the entire island is composed of prisons and psychiatric hospitals, is difficult to escape once inside. Violence, abuse, and human rights violations among inmates confined in this space make it a horrific place. A 16-year-old high school student who came here for stealing a bag was acquitted during trial and escaped from this place but suffered from nightmares and eventually committed suicide.
Built in the 1930s and operating for over 80 years, the facilities have become significantly aged. As the deteriorated facilities and inmates' sudden violent behaviors became problematic, New York City and the New York City Council decided in February 2018 to close this place over a period of 10 years. Accordingly, the island prison will be finally closed in 2026. Inmates will be transferred to four nearby prisons.
Rikers Island Prison is a 'typical example of complex problems' where multiple issues that prisons usually face occur simultaneously. In March last year, 38 people were collectively infected with COVID-19 here.
Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon will visit this place on the 5th. Minister Han plans to personally observe the two correctional facilities on Rikers Island where both pretrial detainees and sentenced prisoners are held, and identify points that could be referenced to improve our correctional system. This is the first time a vice minister-level official from the Ministry of Justice in Korea has conducted an on-site visit to a foreign correctional facility.
Minister Han is expected to focus on the background that allowed Rikers Island Prison to operate for over 80 years, the rehabilitation process for inmates, and the working environment of prison staff. Despite being called a hellish and terrifying prison, there is likely a significant reason and know-how behind Rikers Island Prison’s ability to sustain itself for over 80 years.
Minister Han made efforts to schedule a visit to local correctional facilities during his trip to the U.S. It is reported that he decided to fly to New York instead of staying only in Washington D.C. to see Rikers Island Prison. It seems there was a firm determination to see Rikers Island Prison.
Since taking office, Minister Han has frequently shown noticeable actions regarding correctional administration. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized improving the treatment of correctional officers and chose Cheongju Prison as his first site for field communication. When a group assault incident occurred last month at Incheon Detention Center, he specially ordered a fact-finding investigation at the weekly executive meeting. Following Minister Han’s intentions, the Ministry of Justice is planning to increase various allowances for correctional officers and review improvements to their working environment.
In the legal community, Minister Han is seen as differentiating himself from previous ministers who were 'all-in' on prosecutorial reform by focusing on the administrative sector, which had been neglected. This is the so-called 'normalization of the Ministry of Justice.' Additionally, improving correctional facility environments is closely linked to issues Minister Han is currently promoting, such as lowering the age of criminal responsibility for juvenile offenders, which requires special attention. As the age of criminal responsibility decreases, the number of juvenile offenders increases, and more facilities to accommodate them become necessary.
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