**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 16**: Violence at a peak at health facilities inside Rikers: Rally & Press Conference Advocating for Health, Safety & Patient Care
New York - Every day healthcare workers reporting to work at Rikers confront mayhem and violence from inmates, who are detained in substandard conditions. At such a critical time for New York City, we must ensure that all frontline healthcare workers delivering care to prisoners are protected, including the brave Nurses, Doctors, and Physician Assistants (PAs), who have heeded the call to care for those jailed on Rikers Island.
There is industry-wide support from the three largest healthcare unions in New York - Doctors Council SEIU, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and 1199 SEIU - to address the conditions and violence in the jail facilities. We are seeking a safe and effective solution for colleagues who face great personal risk simply by fulfilling their professional duties . They work under fear of losing their lives or being assaulted and in fear for their health and safety every shift.
There is a critical shortage of correction officers, as well as a failure to properly assign correction officers, and an inability of the Department of Corrections (DOC) and Correctional Health Services (CHS) of Health & Hospitals (H+H) to carry out existing policies. Enforcement of existing rules and establishing new ones to address the growing health and safety crisis confronting health care workers is critical. Without effective policies and procedures, the ability of inmates to receive needed care in a timely manner is impaired.
Health care workers are being assaulted with weapons at their throats. It is time for the City to solve the crisis!
WHAT: Press Conference and Rally for Health, Safety and Patient Care at Rikers Island
WHEN: Monday, August 16, from 7:00 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Afternoon session will feature a line-up of speakers and frontline workers sharing their experiences. Healthcare workers will be available for interviews 7:00 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 - 5:00 PM.
WHERE: Rikers Island bridge at 15-00 Hazen Street at 19th Avenue, East Elmhurst, NY 11370
WHO: Elected Officials will attend with union health care workers from Doctors Council SEIU, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and 1199 SEIU, as well as members of the media.
PRESS: We can accommodate news trucks and will have photographer staffed for post-event content.
Contact:
- Doctors Council SEIU: Tim Costa | tim@theparksidegroup.com | 215-378-5907
- NYSNA: Carl Ginsburg | carl.ginsburg@nysna.org | 917-405-1060
- 1199 SEIU: Stuart Marques | 917-273-6194
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