A serial predator at Rikers Island has carried out a shocking campaign of brutality, attacking 48 officers and staff over just two years while liberal policies protect him from appropriate punishment. Sundance Oliver, a 30-year-old Brooklyn gang member already facing murder charges, continues his violent rampage behind bars with impunity. Mayor Eric Adams’ ban on solitary confinement leaves correction officers defenseless against this predator, highlighting yet another dangerous failure of progressive criminal justice policies.
Dangerous Criminal Unleashed Within Prison Walls
The situation at Rikers Island has become increasingly perilous for correction officers and civilian staff as violent inmates like Oliver roam freely within the facility. A staggering 80 jail employees have been assaulted by inmates this year alone, part of a disturbing trend that has seen a 21% increase in stabbings and slashings and a nearly 50% rise in inmate-on-inmate assaults over a three-year period.
REPORT: Brooklyn gang member charged with double m—er has attacked 48 officers and staff at Rikers Island
Sundance Oliver, 30 has been locked up since cops said he went on a deadly and violent crime spree in 2022
His latest victim, a civilian employee, says she’s left… pic.twitter.com/bbsucQiOL8
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) February 27, 2025
Oliver’s victims include numerous correction officers who now suffer both physical injuries and psychological trauma from these unprovoked attacks. One seven-year veteran of the department told The New York Post, “I’m traumatized. I keep replaying this scene, almost getting choked out and then seeing my partner getting beaten on.”
Liberal Policies Preventing Effective Action
Despite Oliver’s deadly pattern of violence, prison officials are hamstrung by Mayor Eric Adams’ ban on solitary confinement, preventing them from properly isolating this dangerous criminal. The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association has desperately called for increased security measures, including special escorts whenever Oliver is moved within the facility.
https://t.co/d7nxYPsZ8A We may be at peak "NYC criminal justice is an absolute joke" level. Rikers remains worse than NYS prison…
— Bederow Law (@Bederowlaw) February 26, 2025
Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, has publicly demanded action to protect his officers from further harm. “Just in the span of one week two female correction officers and one male correction officer were assaulted in unprovoked attacks by one of the most violent criminals in our custody,” Boscio stated in a formal plea for additional security measures.
Common-Sense Solutions Being Ignored
Conservative lawmakers and prison safety experts have long advocated for stricter measures to deal with violent offenders like Oliver, including the creation of special administrative units. Evidence shows that properly segregating violent inmates significantly reduces overall prison violence and provides greater safety for both correction officers and the general inmate population.
“Correction work has always been challenging, but never so deadly,” notes David A. Fullard, Ph.D., highlighting the dangerous reality faced by brave correction officers every day at Rikers Island.
REPORT: Brooklyn gang member charged with double m—er has attacked 48 officers and staff at Rikers Island
Sundance Oliver, 30 has been locked up since cops said he went on a deadly and violent crime spree in 2022
His latest victim, a civilian employee, says she’s left… pic.twitter.com/Xlyvgx8Iuj
— 🚨PsychoticNews🚨 (@Psychoticnews) February 27, 2025
Despite nearly $4.5 million being allocated for security enhancements, the most effective solution – properly isolating dangerous inmates like Oliver – remains off the table due to progressive ideology. The de Blasio Administration introduced measures including additional Tasers and enhanced cooperation with the NYPD Gang Intelligence Bureau, but these half-measures fail to address the fundamental need to separate violent offenders from potential victims.
The situation at Rikers Island serves as a stark reminder of how progressive criminal justice reforms continue to prioritize the comfort of violent criminals over the safety of law enforcement personnel. Until common-sense policies return to our correctional facilities, brave correction officers will continue paying the price with their safety and sometimes their lives.