New York City found in contempt over conditions in city jails

Despite 2015 settlement and consent decree, judge says conditions have worsened over the last decade

A federal judge found New York City in contempt on Wednesday over conditions in its city jails, saying things have only worsened in the nine years since the city settled accusations of abuse and violence.

The judge, Laura Taylor Swain, in Manhattan issued a written ruling finding the city in contempt over 18 separate contempt claims.