Rikers Island

Clothing

Interview with Blunt, Charles, Patrick, Ryan and TJ


JM: What types of clothes were most common?
Blunt: they gave out uniforms
Charles: The slippers were issued by Rikers. The orange slippers were called Pataki. I don't know why. There were also the black slippers. Some prisoners wore prison issued jumpsuits. I think they were orange or brown. Only certain jails issued the jumpsuits. They did not issue the jumpsuits in C95 or the MO ward. Most prisoners got civilian cloths from family. Prisoners had to wash their own cloths in a bucket. Some prisoners had their cloths stolen.
Patrick: white t-shirts
Ryan: none
TJ: street cloths, jumpers in different colors based on inmate status

JM: Did you have a set uniform? What did it look like?
Blunt: i had two sets long overalls and pants an top shirt green
Charles: No.
Patrick: it was a green jumpsuit or a green two piece that looks like a dickies uniform
Ryan: yes
TJ: green jumper

JM: Were there any assigned clothes in high demand that an inmate should look for when getting clothing assigned?
Blunt: two piece
Charles: The Patakis lasted longer than the black slippers. Hoods were not allowed; they were cut off during intake. No belts were allowed in the MO ward. They were afraid of suicides. There was some talk of suicides. There were suicide prevention signs up around the jail. I felt most comfortable wearing white.
Patrick: the two piece because it was much more comfortable than the one piece
Ryan: green, grey, orange
TJ: no

JM: Was the clothing different between men and women?
Blunt: no
Charles: I only saw woman prisoners on the bus. They wore civilian cloths.
Patrick: no
Ryan: yes
TJ: I hope so