Rikers Island
prison to close dorm for gay inmates

One of the country's last dorms of its kind for gay and transgender prisoners will close in the next couple weeks at Rikers Island prison in New York City, the New York Post reported Friday. The dorm stopped accepting new prisoners last month, and only 56 inmates are left in the unit, department of correction commissioner Martin Horn told reporters. The prison will instead open a specialized unit for all prisoners who feel threatened, regardless of their sexual orientation, the newspaper reported. Some activists are angry about the new plan, saying it won't protect gay prisoners, although prison officials disagree. In addition, activists are concerned that the new housing will be more restrictive, the Post said. Tom Antenen, spokesman for the correction department, told reporters that Rikers inmates who feel threatened due to their sexual orientation will be protected. "If that is the case and they need to be protected from the general population, then we will endeavor to provide the best possible security," Antenen said, adding that only a fraction of the gay population at Rikers is now being housed in the dorm. (Advocate.com)