A federal judge has appointed a remediation manager to run Rikers Island and report directly to her, taking control of the troubled complex away from the city.

The historic step, taking control of the jails away from the city, is "a drastic and necessary measure to save lives," advocates respond.

New York City’s jails will get an outside manager to protect the constitutional rights of people in custody, a federal judge announced Tuesday. Judge Laura Taylor Swain said in a new ruling that she will appoint an independent “remediation manager” to improve conditions on Rikers Island,