VIDEO: Carmelo Anthony speaks with inmates at Rikers Island jail

For the latest installment of Vice Sports' "Stay Melo" series, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony took a trip to New York City's expansive Rikers Island jail complex, and met with several of its younger inmates.

Anthony felt compelled to visit the facility by reports of abuse and violence toward young prisoners there.

"I wanted to see the situation there for myself, as a New Yorker," he told Vice.

Anthony, who spent the first eight years of his life in Brooklyn before moving to Baltimore, said the visit hit close to home.

"I grew up with people who was in here, who was in these cells and who'd write me letters and call me and tell me about the things that's going on in here," he said. "So for me to actually be in here ... I'm truly blessed and I would never forget that."

After touring the facility, Anthony reflected on the state of Rikers life.

"The dormitory was mind-boggling. It was like a big sleepover. I think they said it's 32 people in there. It's no division. So you're sitting in there, you're eating in front of everybody, you're changing your clothes in front of everybody. That s--t is sad."

"I'm not sure what I expected," he said later. "I knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. And, it wasn't. At all. It was extremely disturbing."