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Rikers Island currently houses around 8,000 inmates, many of whom are young adults aged 18 to 21. The jail is under scrutiny, facing efforts to reform its treatment of inmates and even discussions about its closure. Lawton reflects on his own experiences, noting the mental toll that such an environment can have on both inmates and staff. He emphasizes that the stigma around Rikers often overshadows the human experiences within its walls, as many inmates are awaiting trial rather than serving sentences for violent crimes.