NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- City statistics show a significant rise in stabbings and slashings at Rikers Island even as the amount of detainees decrease.
Almost 300 incidents were reported the first seven months of 2022 - an increase of 71% compared to the 173 reported during the same time period in 2021, according to the data, the Daily News reports.
The number of stabbings and slashings incidents are reportedly the highest it's been in the past seven years with 42 happening in July compared to 44 reported in the first seven months of 2016.
According to the head of the union representing assistant and deputy wardens, Joseph Russo, the surge in violence is could be attributed to a Correction Department policy against separating people by gang affiliation adopted under Commissioner Louis Molina, who took office in January.
"Molina took a stand and it makes sense there might be an initial spike in violence with that decision," Russo said.
Russo also said that ending punitive segregation could also be another possible reason for the rise in incidents and noted that there's currently a higher concentration of violent offenders in the jail.
Correction Department officials did not return the outlet's requests for comment.
