A judge ruled New York City is now in contempt over "grave" conditions at the Rikers Island prison complex, with a federal takeover of the system now seen increasingly as likely in a years-long legal battle.

The judge said the city had placed incarcerated people in “unconstitutional danger” by failing to comply with 18 separate provisions of court orders pertaining to security, staffing, supervision, use of force and the safety of young detainees.

The judge found that conditions have only continued to worsen at the jail complex, setting up a potential federal takeover.

A federal judge ruled the Adams administration is in contempt of the 2015 decree on all 18 points, including key measures such as deaths in custody and violence behind bars.

A federal judge has ruled New York City in contempt for failing to address dangerous conditions in its jails, particularly at Rikers Island. U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain cited “unconstitutional danger” to detainees and jail staff, stemming from poor supervision, excessive force, and unsafe conditions.

A judge's scathing ruling Wednesday moves New York City's troubled Rikers Island jail complex a step closer to a federal takeover.

A Manhattan federal judge on Wednesday said she is “inclined” to appoint a federal receiver to oversee the use of force and safety on Rikers Island — moving the jail complex the closest it has ever been to federal control.

New York City was found in contempt Wednesday over “grave” conditions at Rikers Island — as a judge said she was “inclined” to order a federal takeover of the troubled jail complex. The scathing 65-page contempt order by Manhattan federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain blasted the city for rising deaths of inmates,

A Manhattan federal judge in a long-running lawsuit against the city’s beleaguered Department of Correction ruled Wednesday that a third-party “receiver” be appointed to oversee use-of-force and safety issues in the city’s jails.