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I Was One of Rikers Island's Youngest Captains — Here's Why I Left | James Kearney
Description
James Kearney grew up in New York City as the son of a Rikers Island correctional officer. He originally wanted to become a teacher, but ultimately followed in his father's footsteps and joined the New York City Department of Correction in the late 1990s. By his third year on the job, he had become one of the youngest captains in Rikers Island history. But stepping into leadership exposed him to a side of the system he never expected — inexperienced people being placed in positions they weren't prepared for, and a culture that didn't always welcome those who challenged it. When James tried to address what he was seeing, he says he experienced the full weight of institutional retaliation. Less than a decade into his career, an injury on the job ultimately led to his medical retirement.
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: James Kernney's Rikers Story 00:45 Growing Up and Family Background 03:37 Father's Influence and Taking the Civil Service Test 05:50 The Job vs. Career: Advice for New Officers 07:20 Problems in the System: Contraband and Nepotism 09:29 The Best Kept Secret: Rikers Island 10:43 Promotion Process: Becoming a Captain 12:27 Mini Medical Incompetence and Weight Requirements 14:50 Fastest Promotion: Youngest Captain in History 17:27 Academy Life and First Days 19:42 First Assignment: C76 and Learning the Ropes 22:45 Queen's House: The Preferred Command 24:32 Sentenced vs. Remanded Inmates 26:42 First Lessons: Academy vs. Reality 29:00 Use of Force Directive and Its Flaws 32:25 Officers and Inmates: Handling with Care 34:05 Surprises: Nepotism and Comfort with Favors 36:49 Night Tours and Midnight Intake Duties 38:00 Midnight Intake Captain: Court Lists and Punitive Segregation 41:03 Captain's Role: Intake Challenges 42:27 Becoming Captain: Test and Training 44:54 Probationary Periods and Petty Charges 47:27 Transfer to Queen's Courts Division 50:53 Desire to Go to GRVC and First Assignments 52:50 Low Pay and Struggles for New Officers 53:04 Pay Raises and Retention Issues 57:01 Officer Housing and Commute Struggles 58:04 Captain's Pay and Rank Structure 59:18 Role as a Captain: Intake Nightmare 01:00:26 Trouble Begins: First Erroneous Discharge Charges 01:02:32 West Facility Discharge and Order to Produce 01:04:06 Second Incident: Mark Gastino and Retaliation 01:06:39 Facing Charges and Defending Actions 01:09