Inside Rikers: How Knicks Finals Fever is Sparking Unexpected Drama Behind Bars
Thomas Gregory, 59, arrived at Rikers on a charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon nearly 15 months ago and is still waiting for his case to move forward. A longtime Knicks supporter going back the Walt Frazier days, he says he was supposed to go to trial in December but has instead watched hearing after hearing come and go. With another court date looming next week, he speaks about his future with a mix of frustration and resignation.
“They keep putting it off, putting it off,” says Gregory, who spends his typical Wednesday nights in the housing unit playing chess or dominoes. “I feel like they’re not going to do nothing.”
But Gregory snaps right back into the action when a San Antonio player appears to get away with traveling during a chaotic possession: “He’s taking the A train! How many steps is he gonna take?”
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Pictured above: The George R Vierno Center, opened in 1991 as an 850-bed facility for detainees, is one of eight active facilities on Rikers Island.



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