New York City Inmate Abuse & Prison Misconduct Lawyers
Protecting the Rights of Inmates Across All Five Boroughs
Even in confinement, every person deserves dignity, safety, and humane treatment. Incarceration is not a license for cruelty or neglect. Yet across New York City and state prisons, inmates suffer physical violence, sexual abuse, and medical neglect from correctional staff or fellow inmates.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City inmate abuse lawyers fight for justice and accountability. We represent victims of prison abuse, neglect, and misconduct in Rikers Island, The Tombs, and correctional facilities statewide. If you or a loved one were harmed while incarcerated, we can help you assert your rights and pursue full compensation.
Your Rights Don’t End at the Prison Gate
Prisoners retain essential civil rights under the U.S. Constitution and New York law. The Eighth Amendment protects inmates from cruel and unusual punishment, while the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection and due process.
Correctional officers and prison staff have a legal duty to ensure safety and humane conditions. When they use excessive force, ignore serious medical needs, or fail to prevent foreseeable harm, they can be held liable through a civil rights lawsuit.
Common Forms of Inmate Abuse and Neglect in NYC
Our firm has represented victims of nearly every kind of abuse inside correctional facilities, including:
Excessive Force
Beatings, chokeholds, or unnecessary restraints are never justified as “discipline.” When guards inflict pain maliciously, they violate constitutional protections and can be sued for damages.
Sexual Assault and Harassment
Sexual contact between correctional officers and inmates is never consensual. Victims of sexual assault, coercion, or harassment have the right to both criminal prosecution and civil compensation.
Medical Neglect
Failing to provide necessary treatment – from insulin to emergency care – can cause lasting harm or death. Our New York prison neglect attorneys have handled cases involving ignored injuries, untreated illnesses, and denied psychiatric care.
Failure to Protect
When prison officials know an inmate is at risk of attack, suicide, or sexual violence and do nothing, they may be held liable for “deliberate indifference.”
Inhumane Living Conditions
Overcrowding, filth, extreme temperatures, or long-term solitary confinement can violate the Eighth Amendment. Inmates are entitled to safe, sanitary housing and adequate medical and mental health care.
Retaliation for Reporting Abuse
Retaliation through threats, transfers, or violence is illegal. Federal civil rights laws protect inmates who report misconduct and allow them to seek damages for retaliation.
Key Legal Protections for Victims of Prison Abuse
- Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive force and cruel punishment.
- Fourteenth Amendment: Protects due process and equal treatment.
- Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): Federal law mandating prevention and investigation of sexual abuse in detention.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Ensures reasonable accommodations for inmates with disabilities.
- Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. §1983): Allows lawsuits against correctional officers, supervisors, and municipalities that violate constitutional rights.
These laws empower inmates and their families to seek justice and financial compensation for the violations they suffered while incarcerated.
Where We Handle Cases
Our New York City prison abuse lawyers represent victims in correctional facilities across the region, including:
NYC Jails:
- Rikers Island
- The Tombs / Manhattan Detention Complex
- Brooklyn & Queens Detention Centers
- Vernon C. Bain Center (Bronx)
State & Federal Prisons:
- Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility
- Fishkill Correctional Facility
- Clinton & Southport Correctional Facilities
- Hudson Correctional Facility
Regardless of where the abuse occurred, our firm will thoroughly investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
Compensation for Prison Abuse Victims
Our NYC inmate neglect attorneys help victims recover compensation for all resulting losses, including:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, medication, surgeries, and ongoing therapy.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, PTSD, anxiety, and emotional trauma.
- Lost Wages & Future Income: For lasting injuries affecting post-release employment.
- Punitive Damages: Awarded when misconduct is intentional, reckless, or malicious.
- Wrongful Death: For families who’ve lost a loved one to prison violence, suicide, or neglect.
What To Do If You Were Abused in a New York Jail or Prison
- Seek Medical Care Immediately – Document all injuries and request copies of records.
- Document Every Incident – Write down names, dates, and details of what happened.
- File a Grievance – Submit an internal complaint and keep all copies.
- Avoid Retaliation – Report threats or harassment to your attorney immediately.
- Contact a Prison Abuse Lawyer Right Away – In New York, you may need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and a lawsuit within three years.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP
- Top-Rated NYC Civil Rights Attorneys: Recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.
- Proven Results: Decades of combined success holding city agencies and correctional officers accountable.
- Compassionate Representation: Every case is handled with dignity and confidentiality.
- Accessible & Local: Offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.
- No Fee Unless We Win: Our Fee Guarantee means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Contact Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – Free Consultation
If you or someone you love suffered abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in a New York City jail or state prison, don’t stay silent. Our firm is ready to help.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
You owe nothing unless we win your case.
Let Greenstein & Pittari, LLP fight to protect your rights – and make sure those responsible are held accountable.
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – New York City Civil Rights & Personal Injury Attorneys
Justice. Dignity. Accountability.