Reuven Blau
@reuvenblau.bsky.social
Senior Reporter @ THE CITY. Co-author: "Rikers: An Oral History." Denver native.
Marcy is the prison where Robert Brooks was killed by a group of officers as he was handcuffed on Dec. 9, 2024.
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Marcy is the prison where Robert Brooks was killed by a group of officers as he was handcuffed on Dec. 9, 2024.
More cops has historically led to more arrests and people on Rikers. There are current over 7,000 people locked up w/roughly 85% awaiting trial. Context: the number dropped to below 4,000 during the peak of the pandemic. The city needs to reduce the headcount to around that number to close Rikers.
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
More cops has historically led to more arrests and people on Rikers. There are current over 7,000 people locked up w/roughly 85% awaiting trial. Context: the number dropped to below 4,000 during the peak of the pandemic. The city needs to reduce the headcount to around that number to close Rikers.
“There is an emergency on Rikers Island but ending solitary will not make it worse,” Dr. Robert Cohen says at his goodbye party as he recalls his years long struggle to reform Rikers including banning the use of restraint desks that shackle mostly young detainees for hours at a time.
October 30, 2025 at 12:04 AM
“There is an emergency on Rikers Island but ending solitary will not make it worse,” Dr. Robert Cohen says at his goodbye party as he recalls his years long struggle to reform Rikers including banning the use of restraint desks that shackle mostly young detainees for hours at a time.
Coney Island casino would be great for the area says former elected official who is being paid by the casino w/o disclosing that in this DN editorial.
September 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Coney Island casino would be great for the area says former elected official who is being paid by the casino w/o disclosing that in this DN editorial.
Inbox: The city Correction Department just announced another death on Rikers Island, the 12 this year and third over the past week. The judge overseeing the department is currently looking over candidates for a “remediation manager” role. She’s taken the entire summer and no deadline on the books.
September 4, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Inbox: The city Correction Department just announced another death on Rikers Island, the 12 this year and third over the past week. The judge overseeing the department is currently looking over candidates for a “remediation manager” role. She’s taken the entire summer and no deadline on the books.
Inbox: Rikers Island detainee Jimmy Avila, 34, died at 4:29 p.m. He’s the 11th death on Rikers this year. Last weekend, Ardit Billa, 29, was found dead inside his cell covered in feces. He was housed in a specialized unit for detainees w/serious mental health conditions.
August 31, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Inbox: Rikers Island detainee Jimmy Avila, 34, died at 4:29 p.m. He’s the 11th death on Rikers this year. Last weekend, Ardit Billa, 29, was found dead inside his cell covered in feces. He was housed in a specialized unit for detainees w/serious mental health conditions.
Inbox: A man died at the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island this morning. He’s the ninth death this year so far. The population has spiked to 7,716 of Monday. Jail officials are seeking to expand dorms from 50 to 60 beds and open previously closed space on the island.
July 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Inbox: A man died at the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island this morning. He’s the ninth death this year so far. The population has spiked to 7,716 of Monday. Jail officials are seeking to expand dorms from 50 to 60 beds and open previously closed space on the island.
Inbox: the eighth death in city Department of Correction custody. Christian Collado, 51, was “receiving palliative care” before he passed away early this morning. He’s the 41st death in DOC custody since Eric Adams became mayor in January 2022.
July 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Inbox: the eighth death in city Department of Correction custody. Christian Collado, 51, was “receiving palliative care” before he passed away early this morning. He’s the 41st death in DOC custody since Eric Adams became mayor in January 2022.
Here's the emotional video of Brian logging off at the end of the hearing. "I'm free Anita. I'm free," he told his girlfriend.
July 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Here's the emotional video of Brian logging off at the end of the hearing. "I'm free Anita. I'm free," he told his girlfriend.
Kendall’s story shows just how long—and how trenched— wrongful convictions can be. But it also underscores hope: the power of dogged review, deep work, and institutional accountability. Earlier today, he logged on to listen to Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic vacate his conviction.
July 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Kendall’s story shows just how long—and how trenched— wrongful convictions can be. But it also underscores hope: the power of dogged review, deep work, and institutional accountability. Earlier today, he logged on to listen to Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic vacate his conviction.
This @fractenberg.bsky.social photo and @gwynnefitz.bsky.social story
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/17/b...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/17/b...
June 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This @fractenberg.bsky.social photo and @gwynnefitz.bsky.social story
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/17/b...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/17/b...
New: Major, albeit expected Cuomo endorsement, by “Williamsburg United” aka Satmar followers of Zalman Teitelbaum. Slate also includes Adrienne Adams and Zellnor Myrie. See photo below. This Satmar sect is sort of like the UFT or PBA of Jewish endorsements.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/j...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/j...
June 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
New: Major, albeit expected Cuomo endorsement, by “Williamsburg United” aka Satmar followers of Zalman Teitelbaum. Slate also includes Adrienne Adams and Zellnor Myrie. See photo below. This Satmar sect is sort of like the UFT or PBA of Jewish endorsements.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/j...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/j...
One hell of an “exclusive” — the new Pope has a “disarming humility.”
May 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
One hell of an “exclusive” — the new Pope has a “disarming humility.”
Say hello to our 18 pound brisket. Happy Passover!
April 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Say hello to our 18 pound brisket. Happy Passover!
Inbox: A Rikers Island detainee died last night, the fifth fatality this year so far. A federal judge overseeing the department of correction has concluded the only way to reform the agency is by appointing a receiver. None has been selected yet. DOC contends its commissioner can do the job.
April 1, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Inbox: A Rikers Island detainee died last night, the fifth fatality this year so far. A federal judge overseeing the department of correction has concluded the only way to reform the agency is by appointing a receiver. None has been selected yet. DOC contends its commissioner can do the job.
Inbox: @CorrectionNYC announces the fourth death behind bars this year so far. The first woman. A federal judge is currently contemplating appointing a so-called receiver to take over all or parts of the department after years of failed reforms.
March 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Inbox: @CorrectionNYC announces the fourth death behind bars this year so far. The first woman. A federal judge is currently contemplating appointing a so-called receiver to take over all or parts of the department after years of failed reforms.
Inbox: Mayor Adams has a 20% approval rating, the lowest of any New York City mayor in 30 years since Quinnipiac University began polling registered voters.
March 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Inbox: Mayor Adams has a 20% approval rating, the lowest of any New York City mayor in 30 years since Quinnipiac University began polling registered voters.
Inbox: NYC DOC announces the second death of a person in custody on Rikers this year.
February 25, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Inbox: NYC DOC announces the second death of a person in custody on Rikers this year.
Inbox: DOI’s report into former top Eric Adams advisor Timothy Pearson who fought with private security outside a Manhattan shelter and then had them arrested.
February 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Inbox: DOI’s report into former top Eric Adams advisor Timothy Pearson who fought with private security outside a Manhattan shelter and then had them arrested.
Inbox: death on Rikers
February 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Inbox: death on Rikers
A group of COs strapped a handcuffed Robert Brooks down to a medical gurney and began hitting and what seems like suffocating him, according to video just released by the AG. None have been criminally charged since the Dec. 10 killing at Marcy Correctional Facility.
December 27, 2024 at 5:32 PM
A group of COs strapped a handcuffed Robert Brooks down to a medical gurney and began hitting and what seems like suffocating him, according to video just released by the AG. None have been criminally charged since the Dec. 10 killing at Marcy Correctional Facility.
Inbox: DOI finds the NYPD’s increased use of drones disjointed and fails to disclose “details related to the capabilities of the technology and the policies and procedures regulating its use.”
December 18, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Inbox: DOI finds the NYPD’s increased use of drones disjointed and fails to disclose “details related to the capabilities of the technology and the policies and procedures regulating its use.”
Really enjoyed this book.
December 12, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Really enjoyed this book.
