Unions Set to Sue City Over Move to Staff Corrections Officers at Teen Detention Centers

The city is moving ahead with a plan to staff new detention centers for teens formerly housed at Rikers Island with corrections officers — drawing the ire of their unions and prison reform groups.

A trio of corrections unions is poised to file suit against the city, arguing that their members aren’t trained to handle youthful [incarcerated individuals]. Jail reform groups, in a rare display of unity with the correction officers, cheered the planned suit.

“If what you do is transplant the culture of Rikers Island to the facilities where we’re moving the juveniles, you’re basically negating the reason for that move,” said JoAnne Page, president of the Fortune Society.