It’s official. After years of court battles, debate, and continued concerns about violence and excessive force plaguing the troubled jails system, a federal judge stripped New York City of its control over Rikers Island and ordered a third party to take over.

Manhattan federal judge Laura Swain issued the sweeping ruling on May 13, writing that she will soon appoint an independent “remediation manager” to oversee city jails. Though this person will work with the city’s Correction Department, they’ll also have “broad powers” to address long standing safety issues and be “empowered to take all actions necessary” to improve conditions in the city jails, Swain wrote. She also tasked the city and the Legal Aid Society to each come up with four potential candidates for the role – a receivershi

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