Except the vast majority (85% according to this NYT article [1]) of Rikers inmates are pretrial detainees, ie people who have not been convicted of anything. Ma

Except the vast majority (85% according to this NYT article [1]) of Rikers inmates are pretrial detainees, ie people who have not been convicted of anything. Many are there because they can't afford bail, meaning they are in effect being punished for being poor. Also I disagree that the conditions in jail are part of the punishment. I think the punishment is supposed to be the loss of freedom, not the risk of harm at the hands of other inmates. [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/nyregion/what-is-happening-at-rikers-island.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/nyregion/what-is-happenin...