Exclusive: Tour the ESH, a new unit to house Rikers Island's most violent criminals

RIKERS ISLAND (WABC) -- There is a new housing unit at Rikers Island in an area that isolates the most violent criminals from the rest of the prison community. It's meant to keep both guards and inmates safe.

And Eyewitness News got an exclusive look inside.

Last summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio earmarked at extra $27 million to fix gaping security problems at the facility, with part of that money going toward a brand new jail.

There are 50 new cells, 21 security cameras, non-porcelain sinks and toilets, and concrete beds with no moving parts.

The reason is safety, designed to keep the worst of the worst away from other inmates.

"This new unit is designed for the most violent inmates at Rikers, about 6 percent of the total population," New York City Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte said. "This is our first chance to see this new unit, and it opens next week."

It's called the ESH, which stands for Enhanced Supervision Housing.

"In this area, we know are high security-type inmates," Ponte said. "They've probably already assaulted somebody."

Ponte has a daunting task, as shortly after the mayor hired him, the U.S. attorney issued a scathing report that said "beatings are routine," and that "a culture of violence" exits at the nation's second-largest jail.

A separate investigation found the security laughable.

"Weapons and narcotics remain easily available to any inmate with funds to pay for it," the report said.

The new unit is a first step in reform.

"I don't think we have to do it," Ponte said. "I think for staff and inmate safety, it is the right things to do. If staff aren't safe, inmates aren't safe."

Ponte also selected about 40 officers, the best in the system, to run the new unit.

"I knew what I was getting into," Ponte said. "The surprising thing for me is these officers here haven't given up."

Ponte admits the new unit is just a first step and that it will take many more and perhaps years to turn around a broken system. But at least, he says, it's a start.