A Potter’s field is defined as a “public burial place [cemetery] for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals” (Merriam). However the nature of one of the largest potter’s fields, Hart Island off the coast of New York, is not public to any real degree. According to the Department of Correction, “gravesite visits are reserved for those with close personal ties to a decedent, including family members, chosen family members, close friends, and partners,” which has to be verified (Department of Correction). Only thirty-five visitors are escorted to the graves for a two-hour slot, there are four of these in a month (Department of Correction). This is by no means public. It is pivotal -for both public image and to ensure that the dead aren’t forgotten- that access to Hart Island is increased. 

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Limiting access to a site of this magnitude implies that the government or Department of Corrections, who facilitate the Island, has something to hide. Considering the history of the island, it seems that the premise of the Island is to put away the undesirables. Throughout its history, the “insane,” the delinquent, the drunkards or addicts, the soldiers of color during the civil war were all sent to Hart Island for a plethora of purposes. However this idea of keeping people in secrecy is apparent time and time again. We have memorials for those who died in war, for victims of terrorist attacks, nice cemeteries closer to us for the richer folk, but what about those who aren’t of these categories.This place needs to be treated as a cemetery and more readily accessible. Families and friends have the right to grieve and thus should be allowed to visit their dead on a more frequent basis. The nature of this place should be expressed explicitly, it’s not a pretty tourist site or an old town. Hart Island is a burial ground. 

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Thus, increasing the amount of trips and varying the days that the trips are on would be beneficial to mourners seeking more time to visit. Anywhere between six to ten visits a month, some on weekends and others on weekdays, to increase availability. The Department of Transportation should be the ones to cover the cost of the ferry to Hart Island considering that “as of February 2019, the City’s capital commitments for NYC Ferry totaled $114.3 million” (Swimming in Subsidies). The DOT has large budgets and funding and it seems only just that a small portion would go to sending a small ferry to Hart Island several times a month. These times should be scheduled, however, individuals should be allowed to sign just before entering the ferry rather than having to present documents of familial relation or proof to sign up days, if not weeks before. As long as valid identification is presented upon entry and logue is taken, people from the public should be permitted to enter and visit the graves. 

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This does not go to say that there are not several issues with increasing access however, are those more important than people having the ability to grieve. Should outdated buildings on the island outweigh the rights individuals should have to visit their loved ones? Should the reallocation of funding stand in the way of liberty? Are the dead buried on Hart Island worth any less than those in more public, easier accessible cemeteries? Are they not worth visiting? The simple answer is no.