On October 22, during a visit to Rikers Island, New York City’s infamous jail known for its overcrowding and management issues, City Council member Sandy Nurse experienced an unsettling incident. While touring the facility, she was reportedly sexually harassed by an inmate.

According to sources cited by the New York Post, Nurse was around 10:50 AM when the incident occurred. She had asked the accompanying corrections officers to maintain a certain distance in order to avoid causing stress to the inmates. Unfortunately, while in the dining area, inmate Gregorio Garcia suddenly slapped her on the buttocks twice without uttering a word. Following the inappropriate behavior, officers quickly intervened and brought Garcia under control. Reports indicate that the 5-foot, 200-pound inmate attempted to resist but was ultimately returned to his cell.

In light of the incident, Nurse chose not to pursue the matter further, citing that Garcia may be suffering from mental health issues. A representative for communities including Bushwick and Brownsville in Brooklyn, Nurse chairs the City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee and has previously proposed measures to ban the use of pepper spray on inmates.

The incident has sparked criticism, with calls for the council member to advocate for enhanced safety measures to protect not just the inmates but also staff, civilians, and non-violent offenders. Critics argue that it is essential for offenders to be held accountable for their actions, emphasizing that limiting staff’s use of pepper spray or failing to separate violent offenders from the general inmate population could lead to more serious incidents in the future.

According to prison and court records, Garcia is incarcerated for sexual offenses related to incidents in November 2023 and is also facing charges of assault and forcible touching, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in Manhattan Supreme Court on October 24.