“At Rikers Island, there are up to 8,000 inmates at any time in 10 different jails on the island. ABC News was granted unprecedented exclusive access inside the jails and followed Graham for a day in his life. (This ABC News special report has been two years in the making).
“After suiting up and meeting with the warden for roll call, Graham picks up his radio and pepper spray, which officers often use to subdue inmates while limiting physical contact with the inmates.
“‘This chemical agent, O.C., consists of extremely hot peppers and water based liquid,’ Graham said of the pepper spray. ‘It burns. It’ll make them stop fighting when you need to spray, so that’s what we use it for.’