Amid continued scrutiny of problems at Rikers Island and other New York City jails, Mayor Bill de Blasio said bluntly that the situation in the city�s correction department is very bad.

Speaking to reporters following remarks at the United Nations Tuesday, de Blasio reiterated that his administration inherited problems in the nation�s second-largest jail system that he�s working �to fix.�

He pointed to his naming of a reform-minded corrections commissioner, the allotment of $32.5 million in the budget and a new approach to guard training and supervision.

De Blasio was responding to comments made Monday by a federal prosecutor, who warned he may take legal action to force meaningful reforms. Last month, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara issued a scathing review of conditions for adolescent Rikers inmates.

(AP)