Why Violence Toward Inmates at Rikers Grew

By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ and MICHAEL WINERIP 40 minutes ago

Richard Perry/The New York Times

Guards’ violence toward young inmates of New York City jails on Rikers Island was the focus of a scathing federal report last week.

Shrinking staff, increasing incidence of mental illness in the jails’ population and inattention by two city administrations fueled a rise in employ