Inmate Attacks against Medical Staff at Rikers Island

Medical personnel working in prisons and jails have very dangerous jobs, as they are subject to a constantly changing population of incarcerated persons with different medical, mental health, and psychiatric needs often without the necessary resources and support. In addition, a large portion of incarcerated populations across the country is comprised of individuals who suffer from serious, often undiagnosed, mental health problems and untreated medical conditions, which can make attending to their needs particularly demanding.

Although it is a correctional facility’s duty to provide the appropriate level of medical and mental health care to incarcerated people, medical personnel often bear the brunt of staffing shortages or inadequate staffing protocols, which can manifest in the form of violent inmate attacks against staff, resulting in serious injury.

For the past decade, Rikers Island, New York City’s largest jail, has been under scrutiny for the disturbing amount of violence occurring at the prison, including violence against medical personnel.

In 2014, a New York Times report partially attributed the spike in inmate violence to staffing shortages and an increasing number of inmates requiring services. According to their investigation, social workers at Rikers Island disclosed that the jail was not equipped to handle incarcerated people with serious mental illnesses and expressed concern over the fact that medical clinics were often left unguarded. Unfortunately, over a decade since the report, Rikers Island seems to continue having the same problems to this day.

Lead civil rights attorney, Jaehyun Oh, Esq. of the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, is currently investigating complaints of violent inmate attacks against medical personnel and staff at Rikers Island. According to an investigation led by the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, Rikers Island medical personnel and correctional officers have allegedly been victims of a string of violent attacks at the hands of a mentally unstable female inmate. Upon information and belief, the inmate has specifically targeted the eyes of correctional officers using weapons made from materials found in the prison.

The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm has a proven track record of success in holding Rikers Island accountable for failing to properly supervise dangerous inmates. Jaehyun Oh, Esq., recovered a significant award on behalf of a Rikers Island physician assistant who was held hostage for over two hours by a known violent inmate. Jaehyun Oh, Esq., alleged that Rikers Island personnel failed to intervene, which further escalated the inmate and caused our client to suffer from severe trauma.

History of Violent Inmate Attacks against Staff at Rikers Island

Rikers Island has a long history of violent inmate attacks against staff. Press releases from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, which investigates and prosecutes allegations of inmate attacks at Rikers Island, reveal a pattern of disturbing inmate attacks against medical personnel.

Over the past few years, the following incidents involving inmate attacks against medical personnel have been reported:

• In December 2018, an inmate being treated in the main medical clinic of George R. Vierno Center attacked the physician who was treating him. The inmate threw a chair at the doctor, made verbal threats to the doctor, and held the doctor hostage for over two hours. Jaehyun Oh, Esq., represented the doctor in a civil lawsuit against Rikers Island and obtained a substantial award on behalf of the doctor.
• In November 2021, an inmate housed in Eric M. Taylor Center lunged at a female correctional officer and touched her breasts. Later that same day, the inmate isolated and attempted to rape a nurse at Rikers Island.
• In July 2023, an inmate housed in the mental observation unit at George R. Vierno Center stabbed a mental health provider with a metal shank while he was interviewing another inmate. The provider sustained blunt force injuries and puncture wounds to his face and arm.
• In March 2025, an inmate housed in the North Infirmary Command attacked two emergency service personnel who were transporting the inmate. Both personnel sustained injuries including cuts requiring stitches. Notably, the inmate had a prior history of antagonizing correctional officers.

Although the cases cited above do not represent an exhaustive list of attacks against medical personnel at Rikers Island, the horrific stories indicate that inmate attacks against staff are not isolated. Unfortunately, medical personnel at Rikers Island are wrongfully put at risk of sustaining serious injuries, sometimes requiring hospitalization, stitches, and surgery.

Rikers Island is suffering from a pattern of abuse, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the needs of medical staff are met so that they can safely perform their duties. The New York State Nurses Association identified two contributing factors to the unsafe conditions posed to nurses and medical staff at Rikers Island.

1. Lack of Correctional Officers in Medical Clinics at Rikers Island

According to Rikers Island nurses, Rikers Island does not provide enough correctional officers in medical clinics, putting medical personnel at risk. Furthermore, even when correctional officers are in the clinics, they are not in sight of the inmates, giving them the opportunity to attack or assault medical staff.

Nurses at Rikers Island report feeling the need to look over their shoulders constantly because inmates are allowed to linger and roam around the medical clinics with little to no supervision.

2. Subpar Department of Correction Staffing and Safety Protocols

Nurses at Rikers Island also reported slow response times to safety requests such as changes to locks and requests for rapid action. According to the nurses, the Department of Correction does not address nurse requests for months, and when they are finally addressed, the Department of Correction does not provide an action plan that outlines changes.

Furthermore, staffing shortages amidst an increasing inmate population create serious safety issues for nurses and medical staff at Rikers Island. As one Rikers Island nurse who was attacked by an inmate in 2021 stated, “The number of detainees is growing while staffing shortages create a constant crisis mode for all workers, including our nurses.”

Holding Rikers Island Accountable for Inmate Assaults Against Staff

According to the New York City Comptroller’s Office, since January 2026, Rikers Island has averaged around 60 inmate attacks against staff per month. Without proper training, the use of de-escalation tactics, and adequate staffing, correctional officers and medical personnel may be wrongfully put at risk of suffering from serious injuries. Furthermore, overcrowding at Rikers Island also contributes to the safety risk posed to staff, as staff do not have the amount of time and resources required to appropriately attend to inmate needs.

The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm is currently investigating reports of a violent female inmate housed in the Rose M. Singer Center. The inmate has reportedly attacked multiple Rikers Island staff including correctional officers and medical personnel, with sharp objects such as pens. Reports also suggest that the inmate specifically targets the eyes of staff, putting Rikers Island staff at risk of suffering from serious injuries.

Jaehyun Oh, Esq. of the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm has a proven track record of holding Rikers Island accountable for failing to properly protect medical staff.