By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Locked In With Ian Bick.

Pat Acquista still remembers the metallic clang of a razor blade slicing through a fellow inmate’s jugular while the man was lifting weights in the yard. The sound of that brutal act still echoes in his mind, a stark reminder of the daily dangers that lurked behind Rikers Island’s high walls during the 1980s and 1990s.

From Meter Maid to Rikers Officer

Born to a laundry‑delivery father and a part‑time catering mother, Acquista grew up in a modest household. After graduating from City College, he took the three standard civil service exams—police, corrections, and fire—only to be called back by the corrections department, which was perennially short‑staffe

He arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for his pre‑physical at 210 pounds, only to be told he needed to lose weight to qualify. Undeterred, he shed the excess and, three months later, reported for duty on Rikers Island. His first assignment placed him in the receiving room, where he processed newly sentenced inmates and prepared their files for court appearances, often working through the pre‑dawn hours.

The Grind of the “Wheel” and Overtime Culture

Rikers’ notorious “wheel” system rotated officers through grueling four‑day shifts—11 a.m. to 7 p.m., then 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., then 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.—with little downtime. Acquista recalls the “stick list,” a roster that determined who was first called in for overtime. The overtime was relentless, but it paid handsomely: his base salary in 1983 was $21,811, yet overtime pushed his first‑year earnings to roughly $42,000.

He also described the physical training at the Rikers academy, where fingertip push‑ups were a daily test of endurance. “Every time somebody messed up fingertip push‑ups, we had to do them again,” he said, recalling the drill’s unforgiving nature.

Violence, Riots, and the Human Cost

Acquista survived three major inmate riots, each exposing the fragile balance between order and chaos. He witnessed an inmate brandishing a razor blade in the yard, a grim illustration of how contraband still found its way past rigorous searches. “They all get searched beforehand,” he noted, underscoring the constant cat‑and‑mouse game between staff and inmates.

He also recounted an encounter with notorious figures such as Mickey Featherstone, the former Westies leader, who was transferred to the bullpen before federal agents seized him. “He never came back,” Acquista recalled, highlighting the ever‑present intersection of organized crime and the correctional system.

Life Beyond the Gate

Before joining corrections, Acquista worked as a traffic enforcement agent and an auxiliary police officer at the 114th Precinct, roles that paid modestly—about $11,000 a year. The jump to Rikers not only offered higher wages but also a sense of purpose. He described the intake process as “pretty good,” despite the early mornings and endless paperwork. “We would wake up at 4 a.m., get on a bus, and not be back until 10 or 11 p.m.,” he said, illustrating the demanding schedule.

His mentor, a veteran officer nicknamed “Solid Gold” Jenkins, embodied the dedication required to survive on the island. Jenkins worked 16‑hour days, even on his days off, and was the go‑to authority for new officers. When Acquista faced a tense moment—an inmate sitting in his chair during a confrontation—Jenkins intervened, restoring order and reinforcing the chain of command.

Reflections on a Changing System

Acquista’s tenure spanned the height of the crack epidemic, a period marked by soaring violent crime and chronic overcrowding. While he acknowledges the improvements made since his days on the island, he warns that the legacy of those turbulent years still shapes today’s correctional policies. The experience of working through riots, managing contraband, and enduring relentless overtime offers a stark contrast to the modern push for reform and decarceration.

His story underscores the human element behind the headlines: the men and women who kept the prison system running under extreme conditions, often at great personal cost. As cities across the nation grapple with jail reform, the lessons from Rikers’ past remain a vital reference point.

The full episode of Locked In With Ian Bick is available on OBBM Network TV.