I researched Rikers island's history of inmate treatment, any documented cases of abuse as well as medical protocols they have intact. I also researched how medical care works in jails in general and what common afflictions and issues doctors may see with inmates. The effect Rikers island has on the surrounding areas, environmentally was also researched.
One of the things that I was going to follow up on was the Campaign to Shut Down Rikers, but unfortunately the website has been shut down, and currently holds no content. There is currently no explanation as to why the website was taken down; at least that I could find.
I researched more into landfills and how they are made, located, decompose over time, and health concerns.
This article goes over the land needs for disposal as well as some of the politics of it. http://www.waste360.com/mag/waste_year_landfill
This video explains how landfills work and how they decompose as well as their potential threats to health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1u6rJkyzA
This research article goes into the challenges that are faced when constructing building and other projects ontop of or near landfill sites. http://faculty.engineering.asu.edu/kavazanjian/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/32_Construction-on-Old-Landfills.pdf
I looked further into land fill decomposition and other "islands" that have been made on landfills. I also looked further into the legal history of Riker Island and the typical inmates that are sent to this facility.