Thread by @ScottHech

More harmful reporting from @nytimes. Headline alone: "Detainees in control." "Staffing emergency," "Disrupting basic functions of jail."

1. People not "detainees"
2. Mass caging not staffing is issue
3. 1000s painted w/ scariest of brushes
4. Presumes jail has valid "function"

The story opens with a scary scene out of an action movie. About a "bad guy." We dont learn who this person is. What horrors they had experienced/witnessed. Terrorism & violence they had experienced at hands of guards that made them this desperate. No. We have a "hijacker."

After 6 paragraphs of horror stories of people trapped & tortured inside Rikers (stolen keys, "slashings" "other acts of violence"), we get to a paragraph passively mentioning truly horrific acts of violence & indifference by guards including *purposefully letting people die.*

Then after more paragraphs of dehumanizing stories of people in cages hurting other people in cages, we get this little, throw away disclaimer about how most people are actually innocent, haven't been convicted of any crime, do not commit violent acts, & struggle. Damage is done.

The @nytimes then propels talking points from Mayor's office about jail numbers being lowest bc of bail reform & release during COVID. 1. NYC jail population is up by 47% in large part bc reforms Mayor helped repeal. 2. Mayor did next to nothing to release. 3. Still fighting.

The @nytimes then erroneously ties any possibility for "improve[ment] to "money & resources to jails." Rikers is unimprovable. Jail increases recidivism. We spend billions. We know releasing people saves lives & money & doesn't lead to more crime. Only solution: decarceration.