Rikers Island Prison Guard Reveals What Women’s Cell Smells Like

Rikers Island Prison Guard Cries While Revealing What Women’s Prison Cell Smells Like

Rikers Island is a 413-acre (167.14-hectare) island in the East River in the Bronx, that contains New York City’s largest jail. Named after Abraham Rycken, who took possession of the island in 1664, the island was originally under 100 acres (40 ha) in size, but has since grown to more than 400 acres (160 ha).

The island is the site of one of the world’s largest correctional institutions and mental institutions, and has been described as New York’s best-known jail.

A video is currently trending on social media, showing a Rikers Island prison guard explain what the female cell smells like. It was quite a traumatic experience for him as he teared up while explaining the situation.

Rikers Island prison guard bursts into tears while revealing what women’s prison cell smells like 😭 pic.twitter.com/ri6VL8zVC2

— Peter Dredd (@PeterDredd) March 8, 2024

“I walk in the jail for the first time.. you know what I smell.. I smell b*tt a**,” he exclaimed. “I couldn’t breathe.. I was like oh sh*t.. and everyday I come in, the b*tt a** hit you bam!” he revealed, adding that he was told he’ll get used to the smell.

Rikers Island has had a reputation for violence, physical and mental abuse and neglect of its inmates, and has attracted press and judicial scrutiny that has resulted in numerous rulings against the New York City government.

There have been numerous assaults by inmates on uniformed officers and other civilian staff, often resulting in serious injuries. In May 2013, Rikers Island ranked as one of the ten worst correctional facilities in the entire United States, based on reporting in Mother Jones magazine.

A documented increase in violence on Rikers Island was reported by the 2010s. In 2015, there were 9,424 assaults, the highest number in five years. In October 2019, the New York City Council voted to close down the facility by 2026.