Gothamist: Man Who Tried To Escape Rikers Twice In Four Days ‘Has No Other Choice,’ Fellow Inmate Says

“Rikers Island inmates have also not been allowed in-person visits with their lawyers since late March because of the pandemic, Ann H. Mathews, the Bronx Defenders’ Managing Director of Criminal Defense Practice, told Gothamist. While they have been allowed video conferences via a digital Skype-like interface, those sometimes take weeks to schedule. Besides, she emphasized, “Nothing replaces an in-person visit. When it comes to attorney client relationship building there is no substitute for meeting and talking in-person.”

Mathews added: “None of the video facilities are great and some are abysmal. Sometimes you can barely hear what is being said.”

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