Rikers Island hires former NYPD Chief of Operations to rein in dire conditions

In response, de Blasio has announced that NYPD officers and private security would be brought in to relieve the burden, and correction officers would be punished if they call in sick without a valid medical excuse. Gov. Hochul has also stepped in, signing the Less is More Act, which allows the release of prisoners being held on minor parole violations, and ordering the release of about 200 Rikers inmates.