As New York’s Rikers Island Jail prepares to close its doors in 2027, a new book sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of the correctional officers (COs) who work there. Associate Professor & Director, MPA Public Policy and Administration, Simone Martin-Howard’s forthcoming work, tentatively titled Conversations with Correctional Staff: COVID-19, Confinement, and Culture at Rikers Island Jail, takes an unflinching look at the lives of the men and women who ensure the safety and security of detainees, especially during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While much of the existing literature on correctional facilities centers on the experiences of incarcerated individuals, Dr. Martin-Howard’s book flips the script by focusing on the perspectives of the COs and captains working at Rikers. She emphasizes that, while public perception often conjures images of male, white prison guards, correctional officers at Rikers Island are more diverse, with a significant portion being Black, both male and female. Their unique perspectives, Howard argues, are essential to understanding the broader implications of confinement, correctional culture, and the challenges of policing during a public health crisis.

“My goal is to bring the voices of the correctional staff, who often remain in the shadows of these conversations, to the forefront,” Professor Martin-Howard explains. “What we know about correctional facilities often comes from the perspective of those incarcerated. There’s a gap in understanding how COVID-19 and broader societal shifts have affected those tasked with managing the jail.”

The book explores three central themes: the physical and mental health challenges faced by COs, perceptions of confinement and the criminal justice system, and the complex relationships between COs, captains, and detainees. While much attention has been given to detainees released during the pandemic, Howard emphasizes the strain on officers who continued working under heightened stress. Interviews with 30 to 36 COs and captains reveal the emotional toll of working in confinement during a global health crisis and the complexity of their roles in managing Rikers’ policy changes. Many officers, Dr. Martin- Howard notes, feel undervalued and misrepresented, with the media often focusing on incidents of violence or misconduct involving detainees.

The book also explores the relationship dynamics between COs and detainees, especially among the mix of African American and West Indian American officers who often relate more closely to detainees than to the broader public.
As Rikers prepares for closure and New York transitions to smaller, borough-based jails, Howard examines the future of the corrections system and what it means for the officers who will continue to serve within it. “How do we address systemic issues and ensure that COs are equipped for the challenges ahead?” Howard asks.

This book, set for release by Roman & Littlefield, is an effort to start an ongoing conversation about the often invisible work of correctional officers in a broken system. As Howard transcribes interviews and analyzes data, he hopes the work will spark a broader discussion on the human side of corrections and the lasting effects of a global pandemic on those working within the justice system.