Urgent Holiday Package Delays Hit Rikers Island Families

UPDATE: Families sending holiday packages to loved ones at Rikers Island face alarming delays, with many items never reaching their intended recipients. As the holiday season approaches, public defenders warn that even basic gifts like winter clothing and books are getting lost in a chaotic mail system, leaving inmates without essential supplies during the coldest months.

Advocates report that packages are routinely delayed for months, rejected for arbitrary reasons, or lost entirely, despite senders following the New York City Department of Correction guidelines. “With the holidays coming up, this is always a concern,” said Rebecca Kinsella, social work director at Brooklyn Defender Services. “It’s really difficult for us to guide families when no one has accurate information.”

Currently, the Department of Correction processes between 2,100 and 2,800 packages each month, but around 25% contain items deemed impermissible, leading to confusion and frustration among families. Items that should be allowed, such as books and clothing, are often rejected without explanation. This lack of transparency is causing significant distress for families who are already facing financial burdens.

At a recent November Board of Correction hearing, Natalie Fiorenzo, a senior corrections specialist at New York County Defender Services, revealed that an estimated 30% of the packages her organization sends fail to reach inmates. “I can only imagine how frustrating and costly this is for families,” she stated, emphasizing the urgency as families spend money on items that may never arrive.

The issues extend beyond clothing. In a troubling example, an inmate was denied the third book in the Harry Potter series after successfully receiving the first two. These arbitrary decisions highlight systemic problems within the Department of Correction, which continues to face criticism for not following its own rules.

Patrick Rocchio, a spokesperson for the department, acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that Rikers is a “secure environment” and some packages present risks to safety. However, advocates argue that the balance between security and the needs of those in custody is failing, particularly as temperatures drop and families reach out for support.

As the holiday season nears, families are left anxious about whether their packages will arrive in time. The struggle to send essentials has become a painful reality for many, with reports of multiple attempts to send items like sweatpants, only to see them rejected or returned weeks later. “This is not an economy where we can be spending $50 willy-nilly,” Fiorenzo added.

With the situation worsening, families and advocates are calling for immediate changes to the mail system at Rikers. As they navigate the complexities of sending packages, the emotional toll continues to mount, underscoring the urgent need for reform in the Department of Correction’s policies.

As the holidays approach, this issue remains critical, impacting not only the inmates but also the families who are desperately trying to provide support during a challenging time. The community is watching closely, hoping for a swift resolution to these ongoing package delivery challenges.