1.) How are you connected to this movement?  

When I was 21 years old, I was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a murder I didn't commit. Subsequently, I did 29 years and I was released. And from that point, right there, I became passionate about the first process of my being convicted, particularly being in Rikers Island, which was a very horrific facility. 

2.) Why should Rikers close?  

I mean, the facility is so old and tearing down that people can't even function, but they don't care anything about that. That's just the facility aspect of it, but how they treat people is also horrific. And this is why I think that Rikers Island should be closed, sooner than later. The guards are very abusive, it's overcrowded, people are on top of one another, especially during this pandemic. Even the correction officers are not attending and don't even want to be there. And that's why I think that Rikers Island should be closed. 

3.) What is your vision for a more just and equitable post-Rikers New York City?  

You know, we have to invest in the rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated. Thereby, I strongly believe that the facilities should be built in the communities, where we can invest ourselves in the rehabilitation of those people that are incarcerated. So yes, I think that the boroughs should get their own facility. To have us people who are very concerned about the rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated invest themselves in those facilities. These are our kids. These are our brothers. These are our sisters. So they need to be in the community.  

Prior to the pandemic, the prior Mayor de Blasio signed that they are going to close of Rikers Island and start building those humane facilities in the boroughs. Now, we have a new mayor, and I pray that he understands that that facility Rikers Island needs need to be closed and more humane facilities built within the community, so the people in the community can invest ourselves in the rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated.