NYC reaches deal with federal prosecutors, lawyers over widespread Rikers Island jail violence

Federal prosecutors, attorneys representing injured inmates and New York City lawyers have reached a deal to curb violence at the troubled Rikers Island jail complex.

Prosecutors say in a letter filed in Manhattan federal court the federal consent decree will be monitored by an Oklahoma-based correction expert. The agreement says use-of-force policies will be re-written, thousands of video cameras will be installed and guards will be retrained.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH'-ruh) in December joined a class action lawsuit alleging system-wide brutality by guards against inmates. That followed a scathing review by his office of conditions for teenage inmates at the 10-jail complex. The review found teens were routinely beaten by guards.

Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) has vowed to reform Rikers.