Stephanie Harris

[Content warning: Domestic violence, pregnancy while incarcerated]

Stephanie Harris is from New York and has lived in every borough. She was detained at Rikers Island while pregnant with her daughter, and upon intake, corrections officers smashed her sleep apnea machine on the floor. Harris recounts her experiences of medical neglect, her back-and-forth visits to the hospital, and being looked after by a friend when she had stopped breathing while asleep. She recalls being released and kissing the floor, thinking she would die at Rikers. Prior to incarceration, she notes that would have said that Rikers was just a jail, now: "A hellhole. A nightmare that you can't get out of unless you leave out that door." Harris believes Rikers should close. (Summary written by: Carson Stachura)