Mayor Mamdani watches World Cup with Rikers Island inmates

ABC ^ | july 15, 2026 | Philip Marcello

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NEW YORK -- New York City's official World Cup guide lists no less than 100 free places to take in soccer's biggest tournament on big screens. One place that isn't listed? The city's notorious Rikers Island jail complex, better known for its overcrowding and violence than for hosting social events.

But more than 100 inmates were rewarded with a special viewing of the World Cup semifinal match Wednesday between England and Argentina because of their model behavior behind bars.

The inmates, dressed in tan uniforms, took seats at tables facing a large projection screen set up in a gymnasium. The jail has hosted about 90 such watch parties since the tournament kicked off last month, with about 4,500 of the roughly 6,600 inmates incarcerated on the 400-acre island participating, correction officials said.

"Programs like this equal safety in our jail," said Stanley Richards, the city's correction commissioner and a former Rikers inmate. "What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard and valued."

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: New York
KEYWORDS: mandami; rikers; worldcup

[MtnClimber]

Watching with his tribe.

[Seruzawa]

Good place for him.

[Skywise]

Oh barf. He trotted them out and dressed them up like good little communists. You think they ALWAYS wear freshly pressed tan uniforms?

[AFB-XYZ]

Turds of a feather. But hopefully, a self-fulfilling prophecy in the not-too-distant future.

[elpadre]

Is this the way a wannabe future dictator builds his base, starting with those to become his storm troopers???

[mikey_hates_everything]

That’s who he attracts as his fellow victims of capitalism which will be his goon squad. Good thing the guns are mostly allowed outside of NYC for when they finally figure out how to get out of the City.

[frank ballenger]

Inmates.

Psychologically, the public thinks look at all those convicted criminals “in prison for a long time.”

Actually, many will soon be out on the street again.

Some for faults in dna labs (as Detroit cases thrown out and prisoners released), a detective found to be guilty and his or her previous conviction cases, due to testimony, now thrown out,
diseases such as Covid, overcrowding and new trial results. Plus parole. And prison escapes (hundreds each year-—few in headlines).

They’ll be back to intimidate or get revenge against witnesses soon.

[ConservaTexan]

Good time for a riot.

[KitJ]

"Is this the way a wannabe future dictator builds his base, starting with those to become his storm troopers???"

Showing humanity to non-violent prisoners is okay by me. People trying to correct past mistakes. Well behaved convicts just doing their time and improving themselves and their situation is fine.

Mandummy wants to release Arkham Asylum prisoners into Gotham to terrorize non-believers. I'm not okay with that.

[Paladin2]

Lock him up for sedition.

[Charlemagne on the Fox]

"Programs like this equal safety in our jail," said Stanley Richards, the city's correction commissioner and a former Rikers inmate. "What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard and valued."

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP . . .

[TornadoAlley3]

They know he will throw open the jails soon and be his army.

[Paladin2]

“Arkham Asylum is a fictional psychiatric hospital in Gotham City that houses criminally insane individuals, primarily members of Batman’s rogues gallery, who are deemed too dangerous for conventional prisons like Blackgate Penitentiary. Unlike standard correctional facilities, Arkham is intended to be a mental institution, though it is frequently criticized for its lack of effective treatment and poor security record.”

How am I supposed to know?

Why would I want to go there?

[dfwgator]

Bingo.

[Veto!]

while inmates are basking in their “humanity”, companies that employ thousands of people are moving from NYC to Texas and florida.

Und zo: when inmates finish basking and are released on the public there will be no jobs to keep them off the streets.

that’s the commie version of success.

[volare737]

I’m sure he felt right at home, after all, it’s his most loyal base.

[Rummyfan]

"Programs like this equal safety in our jail," said Stanley Richards, the city's correction commissioner and a former Rikers inmate. "What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard and valued."

You know, ICGAF about their humanity.

OTOH, some might say that subjecting them to viewing a soccer match is cruel and unusual punishment.

[butlerweave]

It’s where he belongs 24/7/365

[unread]

Didn’t Castro use common criminals to keep the people in line.? The Ton Ton Macute, or something like that... (?)