closing rikers Archives

30

“The next mayor’s commitment to public safety shouldn’t be measured by how many people they jail, but by how they prevent harm before it happens, and reduce incarceration as a…

ByJason Rodriguez 0Comments

05

Sep 2025

Government Housing and Homelessness Justice Land Use and Development Opinion

Opinion: Closing Rikers Is the Only Way Forward

“On Wednesday night, a man held at Rikers Island died—the fifth death in city custody in the last two weeks, and the 12th this year alone. These are not isolated…

ByErik Bottcher 3Comments

02

Aug 2023

Climate and Environment Government Justice Opinion

Opinion: Delivering on the Promise of a Renewable Rikers

“Every assessment and transfer deadline that passes without action delays the benefits of a transformed Rikers Island for all New Yorkers, especially those in the communities that have been directly…

BySara Imperiale

ByShravanthi Kanekal 0Comments

01

Feb 2023

Government Justice Opinion Politics

Opinion: Mayor Adams, Stop Stalling on Plan to Close Rikers

“Rikers Island is not a necessary institution. There are plans and legislation underway that will remove our neighbors and fellow New Yorkers off of Rikers and into a smaller system…

ByHope Sanders 0Comments

13

Sep 2022

Government Housing and Homelessness Justice Opinion Politics

Opinion: The Moral Imperative to Close Rikers Island

The city’s plan to close Rikers by 2027 is “not a perfect plan, but it’s the best plan thus far. And to do the bold and necessary thing—to see this…

ByRev. Chloe Breyer 0Comments

11

May 2022

Government Justice Opinion

Opinion: Planned Borough-Based Jails are a Chance for a ‘Radically Different’ System

“Concerns about the creation of ‘mega jails’ have hounded the plans to close the jails on Rikers Island since before the historic vote in 2019. It has served as a…

ByStanley Richards 2Comments

12

Oct 2021

Justice Opinion

Opinion: The History of Rikers Island Proves That Reform Isn’t Possible

‘City leaders have asked for our trust to embark on yet another massive jail building spree, at the cost of almost $10 billion dollars. But we can learn from the…

ByNicholas Barber 0Comments

02

Aug 2021

Justice Opinion

Opinion: To Improve Public Safety in NYC, Send Fewer People to Jail

‘Jail separates people from work and family, jeopardizes stable housing, and subjects them to violence, especially in inhumane environments like Rikers. Incarceration must be the option of last resort, used…

ByJonathan Lippman

ByCourtney Bryan 0Comments

01

Apr 2021

Government Justice Opinion

Opinion: In Plan to Close Rikers, Community Reinvestment is Key to Repairing Harms of Incarceration

‘For decades, criminalized communities have been calling on elected leaders to fund our schools, our parks, our hospitals, our community centers, our access to stable homes and more.’

ByDarren Mack 0Comments

29

Oct 2019

Justice

Families of Rikers’ Inmates Say Closing Troubled Jail is Not Enough

‘The process is slow,’ said one mother, who’s son is being held at the infamous jail. ‘I have sat waiting in court for up to four hours only to be…

ByFernando Martínez for El Diario 0Comments

Opinion: The Next Mayor’s Test is Closing Rikers— Public Safety Demands It